Waiting for the other two great contenders for the title to debut on Monday, the Serbian Novak Djokovic and the Spanish Rafael Nadal, the young Alcaraz (19 years old) was the main attraction on Sunday at Roland Garros, and the N.6 of the world did not disappoint the spectators present in the imposing Philippe Chatrier.

In a match that went from less to more, Alcaraz beat the Argentine Londero (N.141) 6-4, 6-2, and 6-0, in 1h50 of play, in which the Spanish added more winning points (22 per 10) and fewer unforced errors (25 times 37).

"Playing here is special; this tournament is one of the first I've seen as a child, and doing it in front of everyone is a pleasure," said Alcaraz, still on the court, admitting that "at first" it was a bit difficult for him to adapt to the dimensions giants of the central Parisian.

"With the support of the people, I have made it easier. I knew that Londero was a great fighter and a great player. He had games behind him, and it was difficult for the first round. Still, it helps me pick up the rhythm and adapt to playing in this track", added an Alcaraz, whose rival in the second round will be his compatriot Albert Ramos (N.42).

Zverev, with a firm step

German Alexander, No. 3 in the world and semifinalist in Paris last year, also advanced steadily to the second round, defeating Austrian Sebastian Ofner (No. 218), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

His next rival will be the Argentine Sebastian Baez or the Serbian Dusan Lajovic.

Among the Top 10, the one who came close to saying goodbye at the first change was the Canadian Feliz Auger-Aliassime (N.9), who came back from two sets against the Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas (N.122) to end up winning 2-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 and 6-3 in 3h14 of play.

"In the end, his experience in this type of five-set match was noticeable," admitted Varillas.

The one who did achieve a prestigious triumph was the Bolivian Hugo Dellien against Dominic Thiem. However, the Austrian double finalist in Paris (2018 and 2019) is not the same player since he suffered a wrist injury last year, from which he still doesn't seem to have fully recovered.

Dellen, 28, could reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career if he beats Russian Karen Khachanov (N.24).

The Argentine Diego Schwartzman (N.16) met the forecasts, although he suffered more than expected to beat the Russian Andrey Kuznetsov (N.227 and from the previous phase), 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, and 6 -two.

"It was a good game, but to beat the best, I have to improve a lot of things," Schwartzman, a semifinalist in 2020 and a quarterfinalist in 2018 and 2021, declared at a press conference, and who could face Serbian Novak Djokovic in the round of 16, number 1 world.

In the second round, he will face the Spanish Jaume Munar (N.91).

Schwartzman suffers more than expected.

The Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the American John Isner, the Russian Karen Khachanov, and the Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp were the other seeds qualified for the second round. At the same time, the Spanish Alejandro Davidovich and the American Jenson Brooksby were left out, eliminated by the veteran Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas.

Although the main surprises of the day came from the women's team. The Tunisian Ons Jabeur (N.6), who appeared in Paris with the best record of the season on clay (17 wins and three losses) and as one of the contenders to reach the last rounds, lost to the Polish Magda Linette (N.52) in three sets, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) and 7-5.

"I expected to do better, but maybe if something bad happens now, it's for something good in the future," Jabeur, 27, the first Arab tennis player to step on the top of the WTA ranking, tried to comfort herself.

Muguruza had had a much worse season so far, and the Caracas native confirmed the worst predictions by losing against the Estonian Kaia Kanepi (N.46), coming back 2-6, 6-3, and 6-4.

With the two leading contenders for the title, the Polish Iga Swiatek, number 1 in the world, and the Czech Barbora Krejcikova, current winner in Paris, debuting on Monday, Maria Sakkari (N.3) was the highest-ranked player who played this Sunday, easily beating France's Clara Burel (N.94), 6-2, 6-3.