Second-seed Alexander Zverev had a comfortable start into the French Open on Sunday with a largely convincing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over local player Benjamin Bonzi.
Zverev won six games in a row after dropping serve for the only time in the eighth game of the second set on the sun-drenched centre court en route to victory in 2 hours 8 minutes on second match point.
The German is still searching for his first title at the majors. He was a three-time semi-finalist at Roland Garros and lost the 2024 final against Carlos Alcaraz.
However, in order to lift the trophy he will probably have to beat in-form Jannik Sinner who is on a 29-match win the streak and the overwhelming title favourite in the injury-related absence of twice reigning champion Alcaraz.
Alcaraz's withdrawal promoted world number three Zverev to second seed and means he could not face Sinner until the June 7 final. Sinner has won the last nine matches against Zverev.
