World number one Jannik Sinner kicked off his quest for a maiden Roland-Garros title, overpowering Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 win in a two-hour, 15-minute electric first round on Monday in Paris.
The 23-year-old, on a 15-match winning streak at Slam level, kick-started his sixth appearance at the major, showcasing great consistency through a high-quality contest.
Last year’s semifinalist dominated the first two sets, mixing his serves while playing with aggression on the return.
Moreover, Sinner kept his focus when trailing by two breaks down in the third set as his opponent posed a spirited third-set challenge, testing the 19-time ATP titlist.
But the ruthless Italian fought back from 2-5 down, winning five straight games to sentence the match 7-5, advancing into the second round at the major.
The Match as It Happened
In their fourth meeting on tour, the world’s top player got off to a solid start with an aggressive play, which saw Rinderknech struggling with Sinner’s varied serve placements, a strategy that would pay off through the match.
Under pressure, the Rome runner-up rallied to fend off breakpoints, holding his serve in the third game to stay ahead.
Cross-court exchanges, powerful serves by both players, and versatility at the net set the tone of an entertaining duel on the red clay surface. However, the No. 1 Italian consistency eventually got the better of the inspired local player, suited with his A-game.
The three-time Grand Slam champion broke serve to seal the first set 6-4 in 43 minutes as the Frenchman hit a backhand wide. Sharp on the attack, the top seed fired eight winners to his adversary’s only three.
The relentless Italian player continued to add pressure, forcing his rival to commit costly errors in the second set.
Then, the Gassin native used the serve-and-volley play before splitting the set one game apiece with the crowd on his side, chanting his name.
There were moments of magic by the world No. 75 at the net to the delight of the French fans.
Nonetheless, Sinner remained in control of play, dropping just two points on serve before flying through to convert the first break of the second set and held to love, taking a 4-1 lead.
Furthermore, he opened the court with his forehand, which unfolded into a thrilling exchange, but after a battle at deuce, the former world No. 42 held his ground.
Holding nothing back, the US Open reigning champion served out for the set in the ninth game, closing out 6-3 in 35 minutes, one set away from reaching the next round.
Trailing by two sets to love, the 29-year-old regrouped to take control of play early in the third set, earning a 3-0 lead, courtesy of his high-quality shotmaking.
Then, the young Italian put in motion a remarkable comeback from a double-break deficit.
He fought his way into the match with tenacity, breaking straight back and holding to narrow the gap to 2-4.
Unbothered, Rinderknech stayed solid behind his powerful service, extending his lead to 5-3.
From that moment, Sinner turned the tables, converting a pivotal double break in the ninth game when the French player failed to serve for the set, recovering from 2-5 to 5-5.
Following a battle at deuce, the San Candido-born found breathing room to produce a third break, inching ahead 6-5, and then served out for the match 7-5.
He hit 28 winners against 17 unforced errors to Rinderknech’s 32 and 47, respectively.
Richard Gasquet, making his 22nd main draw Roland-Garros appearance, the final of a brilliant career - he announced his retirement following his home major, will face Sinner in the second round.
The 38-year-old defeated countryman Terence Atmane in a four-setter on the second day of action at the French Open.
Sinner leads the former world number seven 3-0 in their series.