Jannik Sinner made a clean start at Roland Garros. In a first round match, the world number one defeated home favorite Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 in just over two hours and 15 minutes.

Sinner, who reached the semifinals in Paris last year, pulled away with a two-set lead after making a single break in both sets. In the third, the Italian struggled after falling 0-4 behind and his opponent serving for 5-0, but he rallied and pulled off a stunning comeback to triumph in straight sets. Sinner hit four winners fewer than Rinderknech, but also 30 unforced errors less than the Frenchman.

In the next round, the first-seeded will once again face a local favorite - this time veteran Richard Gasquet. If he wins against Gasquet, Sinner will play either Jiri Lehecka or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

In the women's singles, Australian Open champion Madison Keys convincingly defeated qualifier Daria Saville 6-2, 6-1. She next faces a tough clash against Britain's Katie Boulter. | BGNES