Alexander Zverev keeps French Open match short and sweet, but hopes to go from stable to winning titles

French Open
Aelxander Zverev plays a shot

For once Alexander Zverev didn’t make life hard for himself as he made light work of Sebastian Ofner in the opening round of the French Open.

Last year he had to come from two sets down to defeat fellow German Oscar Otte in the first round at Roland Garros, but he had no such problems this time around as he eased to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win over Ofner in under two hours.

The third seed broke twice in the first set and once in the second in the final two sets, although qualifier Ofner did save three match points in game nine of the third set before Zverev served it out.

“[I’m] very happy,” the German said during his post-match interview. “Usually I start a Grand Slam tournament with a five-set match and a few hours on court, but [coach] Sergi [Bruguera] told me today not to do that so I listened to him for once!

“I’m happy with the match, especially against Sebastian who already played three matches here. He’s playing very well, so I’m happy with the start here.”

Zverev is yet to win a trophy this season with his best a runners-up spot at the Madrid Open earlier in May and the Open Sud de France in February.

“I had a very stable clay-court season,” he said. “Semis in Monte Carlo, final in Madrid, semis in Rome. But I didn’t win any tournaments. I’m always somebody that likes to win, rather than be stable.

“I’d rather lose first round, first round, first round and then win a tournament, so hopefully I can do that here. Hopefully I can play my best tennis here.”

Ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime did have a battle on his hands as the Canadian had to come back from two sets down to defeat Juan Pablo Varillas.

After being broke twice in each of the first two sets by the Peruvian, Auger-Aliassime went up a gear and eventually dug himself out of a hole as he won 2-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.

There were also wins for 15th seed Diego Schwartzman from the United States, 18th-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, 23rd seed John Isner from the United States and Fabio Fognini from Italy.

Alexander Zverev Felix Auger-Aliassime Sebastian Ofner

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