The 2015 champion bowed out of the clay-court Grand Slam after a four-set defeat to Dutchman Jesper de Jong, who beat the Swiss veteran 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a composed display. This was the last time three-time Grand Slam champions would appear at the iconic major.

Fifteenth seed Casper Ruud of Norway survived the scorching Paris heat and a spirited challenge from Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin to book his place in the second round. 

Ruud eventually came through 6-2, 7-6, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 after an entertaining battle on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

In an all-French clash, 32nd seed Ugo Humbert delighted the home crowd with a straight-sets victory over compatriot Adrian Mannarino, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Fellow Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech also progressed comfortably, defeating Austrian qualifier Jurij Rodionov 7-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Another all-French showdown produced one of the emotional moments of the day as fan favourite Gaël Monfils bid farewell to Roland Garros. The veteran showman was beaten by compatriot Hugo Gaston in five sets, going down 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 after a dramatic turnaround. 

The Paris crowd gave Monfils a standing ovation as he left the court, for what may have been the very last time.

Fifth seed Ben Shelton of the USA eased into the second round with an impressive 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Daniel Mérida.

In the women’s singles, four-time champion and former world number one Iga Swiatek produced another ruthless display, thrashing Australia’s Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2.

Seventh seed Elina Svitolina, the wife of Monfils, was forced to dig deep in a gripping three-set encounter against Hungary’s Anna Bondár. The Ukrainian eventually prevailed 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 after nearly two-and-a-half hours on court.

Former finalist Jasmine Paolini of Italy was also pushed hard before overcoming Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 7-5, 6-3. Sixth seed Amanda Anisimova of the USA had far fewer problems, cruising past France’s Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-3, 6-1.

Former Wimbledon champion and second seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan was in dominant form as she dismantled Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2. Former finalist and 10th seed Karolína Muchová was tested early on before sealing a solid 7-5, 6-2 win over Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova.

Day three in Paris promises even more thrilling action as several of the tournament’s biggest stars begin their campaigns.

In the women’s singles, world number one and last year’s losing finalist Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will face Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Defending champion and fourth seed Coco Gauff of the USA takes on compatriot Taylor Townsend.

In the men’s draw, sixth seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia will meet Australian wildcard, Adam Walton. World number one and tournament favourite Jannik Sinner of Italy headlines the evening session against French wildcard Clément Tabur.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg