French Open LIVE: Latest updates after Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz makes winning starts at Roland Garros

The French Open continues at Roland Garros today with the second grand slam in tennis wide open in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

Novak Djokovic enters the fray as he bids for a record-breaking 23rd grand slam singles title, looking to add to the French Open crowns he claimed in 2016 and 2021. With clay-court king Rafael Nadal missing this year’s tournament through injury, the 36-year-old Serbian looks to have the perfect opportunity to further cement his greatness and USA’s Aleksandar Kovacevic is his first opponent this afternoon.

Djokovic’s main contender for the men’s title appears to be young pretender Carlos Alcaraz, who has lit up the tennis world since bursting on to the scene. The 20-year-old is already a grand slam winner after claiming last year’s US Open and could dominate men’s tennis in a post-Djokovic-Nadal-Federer world. Italy’s Flavio Cobolli is his first-round opponent.

Elsewhere today, Britain’s Cameron Norrie dramatically beat home favourite Benoit Paire in five sets, while the women’s draw sees the likes of Caroline Garcia, Petra Kvitova and Jelena Ostapenko get their campaigns underway.

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• Novak Djokovic progresses past hard-hitting youngster Aleksandar Kovacevic (6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1))

• Britain’s Cameron Norrie fights back to beat home favourite Benoit Paire in five sets (7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4)

• Carlos Alcaraz beats Flavio Cobolli in straight sets

French Open breaking news: Carlos Alcaraz beats Flavio Cobolli in straight sets

18:40 , Karl Matchett

Much-fancied Spanish starlet and men’s world No1 Carlos Alcaraz has cruised into the second round with a three-set demolishing of Italian Flavio Cobolli.

Alcaraz triumphed 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 on the Suzanne Lenglen Court to join the likes of Norrie and Djokovic in the next round.

Cameron Norrie battles back for key win but brands umpiring call ‘absurd’

18:25 , Karl Matchett

Cameron Norrie branded an umpiring call against him “absurd” and “unacceptable” after battling to a five-set victory over Benoit Paire in the first round of the French Open.

A British singles wipe-out looked to be on the cards for the second time in four editions in Paris when Norrie trailed 4-2 in the deciding set on Suzanne Lenglen but he fought back to defeat Frenchman Paire 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 and silence the lively home crowd.

A key moment occurred in the third game of the second set when, with Norrie serving at 30-30, umpire Nico Helwerth docked the 14th seed a point for a hindrance, claiming he had shouted out during play.

Paire went on to break serve and, although Norrie kept his protest brief on court, he made it clear in the press conference room just how unhappy he was.

Cameron Norrie battles back for key win but brands umpiring call ‘absurd’

Jack Draper is ‘mentally destroyed’ after injury forces French Open retirement

17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Meanwhile, a “mentally destroyed” Jack Draper cursed his injury luck once again after being forced out of the French Open with a shoulder problem.

The 21-year-old has struggled with hip and abdominal issues this season but declared himself fully fit ahead of the year’s second grand slam.

However, it became clear in the eighth game of his first-round contest against Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry that Draper was ailing physically again when he started to serve underarm.

Jack Draper is ‘mentally destroyed’ after injury forces French Open retirement

Cameron Norrie battles back for key win but brands umpiring call ‘absurd’

17:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cameron Norrie branded an umpiring call against him “absurd” and “unacceptable” after battling to a five-set victory over Benoit Paire in the first round of the French Open.

A British singles wipe-out looked to be on the cards for the second time in four editions in Paris when Norrie trailed 4-2 in the deciding set on Suzanne Lenglen but he fought back to defeat Frenchman Paire 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 and silence the lively home crowd.

A key moment occurred in the third game of the second set when, with Norrie serving at 30-30, umpire Nico Helwerth docked the 14th seed a point for a hindrance, claiming he had shouted out during play.

Cameron Norrie battles back for key win but brands umpiring call ‘absurd’

Carlos Alcaraz wins opening set against Flavio Cobolli to love

17:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Even by his lofty, lofty standards, this has been some outstanding tennis from Carlos Alcaraz. 6-0 in 24 minutes with barely an error.

Carlos Alcaraz 5-0 Flavio Cobolli

17:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is absurdly good stuff from Carlos Alcaraz. He survives the longest rally of the match so far, winning it with a delectable little slice into the front court, en route to a fifth game inside 20 minutes of action.

Carlos Alcaraz 4-0 Flavio Cobolli

16:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Make that 4-0. The most graceful sliding slice backhand around the net post and Alcaraz is absolutely flying.

Carlos Alcaraz 3-0 Flavio Cobolli

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yep, this feels pretty ominous from the next megastar of men’s tennis, 3-0 up and barely breaking a sweat in the evening Paris heat.

Carlos Alcaraz breaks in first game

16:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, we’ll leave Caroline Garcia and Xiyu Wang there for now, because Carlos Alcaraz has just got underway on Court Suzanne-Lenglen...

And broken immediately! Those that know really rate Flavio Cobolli’s potential, but this will be a really tough test for a player short on senior experience - though almost exactly a year older than his opponent, the world number one.

Caroline Garcia takes first set against Xiyu Wang

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The home crowd applaud as Caroline Garcia takes the lead with a vicious forehand befitting a hard-hitting first set.

59 minutes of thoroughly brutal tennis - good stuff from both players.

Caroline Garcia 6-6 Xiyu Wang

16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

With both players so powerful on their first serves, this always felt a likely destination - into a tiebreak.

Caroline Garcia 5-6 Xiyu Wang

16:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Garcia gifts Wang a point with a wretched dragged backhand, and the Chinese youngster closes out the game from there without further fret.

Caroline Garcia 5-5 Xiyu Wang

16:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Carlos Alcaraz will be next to stride out onto Suzanne Lenglen, with the world number one hoping to begin his march to the final with a win against qualifier Flavio Cobolli. That’ll be up and running in a short while.

Caroline Garcia and Xiyu Wang are still creating great craters on Chatrier - Garcia has a sniff at 0-30 in Wang’s latest service game...

Belinda Bencic exits French Open

16:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Out goes the 12th seed - it’s all over on Suzanne Lenglen, with lucky loser Elina Avanesyan making the most of her main draw opportunity to reach the second round. 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 - and through she goes to take on Leolia Jeanjean with that section of the women’s draw opening up rather intriguingly with Maria Sakkari, seeded eighth, out yesterday.

Caroline Garcia 3-4 Wang Xiyu

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The two players trade holds, throwing great haymakers across the net to beat both each other and this bothersome wind that continues to whip through Court Philippe-Chatrier. This has been pretty entertaining stuff so far between two players of not dissimilar skillset.

Caroline Garcia 2-3 Wang Xiyu

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wang nudges in front with a hold.

Elsewhere, Albert Ramos-Viñolas and Stan Wawrinka will have to haul their legs through a fifth set, with the Spaniard setting up a decider with a confident 6-1 in the fourth - but he’s just been broken by the three-time major winner.

Belinda Bencic and Elina Avanesyan are locked together at 4-4 in their decider on Suzanne Lenglen.

Caroline Garcia 2-2 Wang Xiyu

16:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The 22-year-old’s forehand is pretty nasty, too, though Caroline Garcia doesn’t seem to realise, repeatedly feeding it with a series of serves that are tonked back her way in forceful riposte. Wang breaks back.

Caroline Garcia 2-1 Wang Xiyu

15:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The left-handed Wang has her own first serve weapon, though, using it effectively to get on the board.

Caroline Garcia 2-0 Wang Xiyu

15:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A confident first two games from the fifth seed. Four thumping serves and the simplest of holds.

Caroline Garcia 1-0 Wang Xiyu

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lovely start from Caroline Garcia, surviving a slip on her second break point to crunch an inside-out forehand winner.

Next on Court Philippe-Chatrier...

15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

...is Caroline Garcia, the fifth seed and seeking a good run on home soil. The 29-year-old isn’t always at her happiest or best on clay, but the courts are said to be playing quicker this week, which may just suit last year’s WTA Finals winner.

She’s got Wang Xiyu for first round company.

Shoulder injury forces Jack Draper out of French Open

15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jack Draper suffered more physical problems at the French Open when a left shoulder problem forced him to pull out during his first-round clash with Tomas Etcheverry.

The 21-year-old has struggled with hip and abdominal problems this season but declared himself fully fit ahead of the year’s second grand slam.

However, it became clear in the eighth game that Draper was ailing physically again when he started to serve underarm.

He managed to hold serve to make it 4-4 but Argentinian Etcheverry claimed the next two games to take the opening set, after which a resigned-looking Draper called the trainer.

He took some pills and tried to play on but, trailing 0-30 in the second game of the second set, pulled the plug and shook hands with his opponent before trudging off court.

There is no doubt about Draper’s potential but, rather like his former junior compatriot Emma Raducanu, his body has so far been unable to hold up to the rigours of top-level tennis.

He will now hope this issue does not seriously impact his grass-court prospects, with Wimbledon starting in five weeks.

PA

Shoulder injury forces Jack Draper out of French Open

Around the courts...

15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few updates from elsewhere:

On Suzanne Lenglen, Elina Avanesyan and Belinda Bencic have shared the first two sets to take their match to a decider.

Stan Wawrinka and Albert Ramos Viñolas are rolling back the years, with the Swiss (three years his 35-year-old opponent’s senior) up 7-6, 6-4, 6-7 with no games yet completed in the fourth set.

Dominic Thiem’s hopes of recapturing some of his best form appear faint, though - the Austrian is a set and a break down against Pedro Cachin.

Novak Djokovic beats Aleksandar Kovacevic

15:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marton Fucsovics is next up for Djokovic in the second round - the Hungarian has never beaten the 22-time Grand Slam winner, but has shown glimpses of good form at both the Australian and Italian Open this season.

Novak Djokovic through to second round

15:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A howitzer of a forehand flies by Aleksandar Kovacevic and that’s that - Novak Djokovic is through! 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1).

A valiant effort from the young American, who has plenty more days like this to come, you’d have to say. But the final result was never in doubt.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 6-6 (3-0) Aleksandar Kovacevic

15:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Big match Djokovic re-emerges, getting a mini-break and then slamming down two fierce first serves to build his lead.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 6-6 Aleksandar Kovacevic

15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tie break time, which looked unlikely about 15 minutes ago. Can the American take us deeper?

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 5-6 Aleksandar Kovacevic

15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A slight wobble at 40-0 but Kovacevic is ahead in the third set for the first time. Djokovic, still rubbing at those irritated eyes, will serve to try and force a tie-break.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 5-5 Aleksandar Kovacevic

15:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ooh, hello! Djokovic has just been disturbed here, wiping dust and sweat from his eyes and then ceding two points rather easily to given Kovacevic the chance to prolong the encounter.

Break point one. Thumping exchange of forehands...into the net! Kovacevic breaks!

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 5-4 Aleksandar Kovacevic

15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Novak Djokovic is twice forced to pause, first by the rather gusty wind that is beginning to sweep quite large amounts of the fine clay across the Philippe-Chatrier surface, and then to retrieve a replacement racquet after his strings go at 0-15.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 5-4 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few whistles of delight from the crowd as Aleksandar Kovacevic holds what may well be his final service game.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 5-3 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Make that one game away. A hold to love.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 4-3 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And it appears Kovacevic may have won at least some of the crowd over - Djokovic is booed as he celebrates a glorious winner perhaps a little over-enthusiastically given the circumstances. Anyway, he’s two games away from a second round meeting with Márton Fucsovics.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 3-3 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A break back for Aleksandar Kovacevic! A great ovation from the Philippe Chatrier crowd in recognition of a merited moment for the American, his hard-hitting forehands drawing enough errors from Djokovic to move level in the third set.

Cameron Norrie comes through five-set battle with home favourite Benoit Paire

14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cameron Norrie survived a five-set battle with Frenchman Benoit Paire and the lively Roland Garros crowd to keep British hopes in the singles alive.

There looked set to be a British wipe-out for the second time in four editions in Paris when Norrie trailed 4-2 in the deciding set on Suzanne Lenglen after Jack Draper was forced to retire injured.

But 14th seed Norrie showed his battling qualities again to pull off a 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory after three hours and 33 minutes.

Cameron Norrie comes through five-set battle with home favourite Benoit Paire

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 2-1 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kovacevic gets a game back. He’s had a really encouraging year at Challenger level, winning a couple of tournaments in the United States, and is hovering around the fringes of the top 100. On this evidence, he’s definitely got the right skillset to climb higher - he’s given Djokovic some real issues today.

Meanwhile, Felix Auger-Aliassime is gone - the men’s tenth seed exits in straight sets to Fabio Fognini. An upset, yes, but you always fancied the Italian to give FAA trouble.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 2-0 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A couple of break points aren’t capitalised upon by Aleksandar Kovacevic, before Novak Djokovic is angered after “let” is called on what appears to be a valid first serve. It isn’t the first time that has happened so far, with Djokovic remonstrating with the umpire to check the automatic system, which appears to be malfunctioning. “I believe you,” the official suggests, but stresses he can’t overrule the technology.

Djokovic nonetheless releases his frustration at big net tech by barking his delight at moving into advantage, and then sealing the game.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 1-0 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few other bits of note from around the courts at Roland-Garros: Denis Shapovalov is through, requiring five sets but outlasting Brandon Nakashima; Fabio Fognini is close to a major win, with tenth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the mire at two sets and a break down; and 2019 runner-up Markéta Vondroušová is a set and 3-0 up against the talented Alycia Parks, a winner in Lyon in February but now looking likely for an early exit on French Open debut.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A bit more oomph in the serve from Novak Djokovic today, it would seem, pushing somewhere close to his top speeds as he secures the second set.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 5-1 Aleksandar Kovacevic

14:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

You feel a little for Kovacevic - he’s played some really good stuff in this match, with few signs of the nerves that might usually accompany a grand slam main draw debut. But, like so many others before him, he just can’t keep up with Djokovic’s accuracy and endurance.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 4-1 Aleksandar Kovacevic

13:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But there is the second break for Djokovic, taken with a little flicked backhand across court as he moved up towards the net.

Novak Djokovic 6-3, 2-1 Aleksandar Kovacevic

13:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A fine win for Cameron Norrie, and a much-needed bit of good news for those at British tennis HQ - Norrie is the sole British representative still in the French Open after Dan Evans’s defeat yesterday and the sad news about Jack Draper’s injury-enforced retirement earlier today.

Our focus now switches more fully to Philippe Chatrier, where Novak Djokovic looks in good touch - the Serbian is a set and a break in front of Aleksandar Kovacevic, though the American has just produced three very impressive points to prevent Djokovic breaking again.

Cameron Norrie reacts after reaching French Open second round

13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“It was an amzing match. All credit to Benoit - it’s nice to see him back competing really hard. We put on a good show, both of us. Thank you to everyone for the support for both players, it was amazing.

“I was a little fortunate that it went my way in the fifth set there. Pleased to be through after a really tough one.

“When he is serving well and coming forward, using that backhand and being aggressive, it is really difficult. I had to fight back really hard. I need to rest up and get ready for the next one. I believe I play another French guy [Lucas Pouille], so it’s going to be a similar atmosphere. I’m looking forward to it.”

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 Benoit Paire

13:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s a serious win for the 14th seed, who really had to battle. Benoit Paire produced comfortably his best tennis this year to push the left-hander all the way, drawing on the fervent support of the Suzanne Lenglen crowd to put himself on the brink of victory.

But Norrie is through - and the only British player in the second round.

Cameron Norrie beats Benoit Paire in five sets

13:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There it is! An extraordinary win for Cameron Norrie, fighting back from a break down in the final set decider to knock out the home favourite!

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 5-4 Benoit Paire

13:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

0-30! Benoit Paire calls down the umpire and fixes his gaze on the mark left by a loopy Norrie shot that just brushes the chalk - the umpire waves Paire’s protests away.

A chance...but a brilliant backhand, Paire’s 70th winner of the match, keeps him alive.

But then the stroke lets him down! Skewed out on the left. Two match points.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 5-4 Benoit Paire

13:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A slight scare for Norrie as Paire gets ahead in the game, but the 14th seed forces the Frenchman to serve to stay in the tournament.

Novak Djokovic wins first set against Aleksandar Kovacevic

13:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Solid stuff from one of our two big men’s competition favourites this year - strong on first serve, impeccable on his second, and one break (6-3) is enough for Novak Djokovic to go in front against his young American opponent.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 4-4 Benoit Paire

13:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Life in Cameron Norrie yet. Benoit Paire just lets his concentration slip for a couple of points, and a whipped forehand up the line gives the British player two break points.

The first is saved after an exchange at the net, but not the second, a crisp Norrie return leaving a charing Paire beaten. Back on serve!

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 3-4 Benoit Paire

13:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A vital hold for Cameron Norrie to keep his fingernails clinging on.

Over on Court Simonne-Mathieu, it’s upset alert time - Fabio Fognini is always troublesome first round fare and the fiery Italian is a set and a break up against Felix Auger-Aliassime, the tenth seed.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 2-4 Benoit Paire

13:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Benoit Paire looks remarkably calm. He’s using the crowd’s energy perfectly, righting his focus between points as he holds to move two games away from the second round.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 2-3 Benoit Paire

13:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A snappy hold from Cameron Norrie, with Benoit Paire punching a pair of backhands into the upper reaches of the net.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-3 Benoit Paire

13:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just across the Roland-Garros complex, Novak Djokovic has broken to lead 5-2 in the first set against Aleksandar Kovacevic. A shame for the young American, who had startd promisingly.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-3 Benoit Paire

13:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Thrice Cameron Norrie earns break points, and thrice Benoit Paire saves them, the Frenchman waving his arms to encourage the crowd into now familiar chants of his name.

A crunching ace. Paire extends his advantage and the crowd are having riotous fun.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-2 Benoit Paire

13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cameron Norrie holds to at least give himself a foothold.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 0-2 Benoit Paire

13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is a special atmosphere on Suzanne Lenglen, barely an empty seat in sight as Benoit Paire lifts his level again. Up they all go together as the final set lead swells to a roar.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 0-1 Benoit Paire

13:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The deciding set is underway on Suzanne Lenglen. Cameron Norrie is Britain’s sole remaining participant in both the men’s and women’s draws at the 2023 French Open - Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray were lost ahead of the tournament, Dan Evans lost yesterday and Jack Draper has been forced out of his first round match with a shoulder issue.

Can Norrie keep fighting? It’s not the best of starts after the resumption, Benoit Paire taking the third of three break points.

Novak Djokovic 1-1 Aleksandar Kovacevic

12:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, we’ll keep a close eye on that decider, but Novak Djokovic’s first round encounter is also up and running. The two-time French Open winner holds in his first service game, but a nifty half-volley allows Kovacevic to level in an impressive first go at serving in a Grand Slam proper.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1 Benoit Paire

12:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We’re going the distance - two lovely, loquacious ground strokes seal another Cameron Norrie break and the fourth set.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 5-1 Benoit Paire

12:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Five games in a row to the big southpaw. Perhaps time for Benoit Paire to start conserving his efforts for the decider.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 4-1 Benoit Paire

12:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Momentum appears to have completely swung back towards the 14th seed, drawing errors easily from his French oppponent to break to love.

It appears we may well be going to five sets.

Meanwhile, Jack Draper is OUT - the 21-year-old’s shoulder injury has forced his retirement against Tomas Martin Etcheverry. A real shame for a player already becoming much too familiar with the treatment table.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 3-1 Benoit Paire

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A swift hold from Norrie, building on the break as he looks to hit back in the fourth set.

Novak Djokovic vs Aleksandar Kovacevic about to begin

12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The two players are out on court on centre, Novak Djokovic reacquainting himself with the Paris show court and ready to begin his hunt for title number 23 against a man making his grand slam debut.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 2-1 Benoit Paire

12:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Aha - bad Benoit may be back. An almost desultory forehand is tugged into the tramlines as Norrie breaks.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 1-1 Benoit Paire

12:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A worry for Norrie as he gives up a break point, but some fighting spirit and clever positional play work him back into the game to ensure Paire’s momentum doesn’t continue to build.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 0-1 Benoit Paire

12:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s not proving a particularly good opening couple of days for the already reduced number of Brits in Paris - not only is Norrie struggling on Suzanne Lenglen, but over on Court Nine, Jack Draper has been forced to serve underarm due to another injury issue. The youngster has dropped the first set to Tomas Martín Etcheverry.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 0-1 Benoit Paire

12:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Next up over on the other show court will be Novak Djokovic’s opening match of Roland-Garros 2023, but for now we’ll be sticking with Benoit Paire’s attempts to seal victory against 14th seed Cameron Norrie.

A solid hold marks a good start to set four.

Sloane Stephens knocks out Karolina Pliskova

12:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s all over on Philippe Chatrier - a major victory for former finalist Sloane Stephens, knocking out Karolina Pliskova in straight sets. 6-0, 6-4 - solid work from the American, who will next face either Varvara Gracheva or Dalma Gálfi.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-6 Benoit Paire

12:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But listen to the noise! A clenched fist, a turn to the crowd, and Benoit Paire is two sets to one in front.

Cameron Norrie has never won a five-setter - he’ll have to break that duck, or his French Open is over.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 3-5 Benoit Paire

12:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Now then. Bad habits creep back in as Benoit Paire attempts to close out the set and a smattering of errors gift Norrie another game.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 2-5 Benoit Paire

12:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Norrie stops the rot with a much-needed hold, but Paire will serve for the set.

Still on serve on Philippe Chatrier, by the way, in the second set - though Karolina Pliskova needs to hold to keep her match with Sloane Stephens alive.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 1-5 Benoit Paire

12:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A hold to love. Benoit Paire rubs his great tangle of a beard approvingly.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 1-4 Benoit Paire

12:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Paire repeatedly gets advantage but can’t quite put Norrie away, the 14th seed battling on.

That’s lovely, though, fooling Norrie with the eyes as he clips a little low forehand up the line past the stranded Brit. Break point...4-1!

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 1-3 Benoit Paire

12:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is the most consistently focussed and energetic Benoit Paire I’ve seen for a little while. He’s recognising a real opportunity here to claim a major first round scalp, drawing on the crowd’s support to lift him.

He takes Norrie to deuce in the Brit’s next service game.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 1-3 Benoit Paire

12:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another early concession of a break from Cameron Norrie, and Paire builds on it by taking the fourth game. Norrie just looks a little untidy now, swatting at balls with little precision and needing to lift his game again as we near the two-hour mark in the encounter.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 1-1 Benoit Paire

12:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One game each way. On serve in the opening third set exchanges.

Making a better fist of things on Philippe Chatrier is Karolina Pliskova, one set down against Sloane Stephens. That is also on serve so far at 2-2 in the second.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 0-0 Benoit Paire

11:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A big gulp out of the water bottle from Norrie as he returns to court. Can he find more of his attacking game and push Paire back more consistently?

He’ll serve first in the third.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6 Benoit Paire

11:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Surprisingly, that’s the first set that Benoit Paire has taken off Cameron Norrie. The Frenchman enjoyed it, too, drawing on that Parisian support. 17 winners from the veteran in that set.

Norrie disappears before the resumption, perhaps just needing to refresh and reset.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-6 Benoit Paire

11:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Suzanne Lenglen crowd roars as a Norrie approach shot is called wide, the umpire leaping down from his chair like an eager lifeguard to rush over and confirm it landed out. Set point...and the crowd roars as their home hero squares things up in the match.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 4-5 Benoit Paire

11:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Paire gets to 0-30 as he tries to snatch both break and set, but squanders the opportunity as a pair of meaty forehands from Norrie knock him back.

The leftie forces Paire to serve out the set.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 3-5 Benoit Paire

11:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Interspersed among the errors has been some glorious stroke-making from Paire, particularly on his stronger backhand side. He’s so lovely to watch when that big two-hander is working fully.

A lob leaves him one game away from taking the second set.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 3-4 Benoit Paire

11:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yep, Stephens seals it out to take the first set to love. First time she’s bagelled Pliskova, who needs to fix things quickly.

In our featured morning match, a hold apiece.

Over on Philippe-Chatrier...

11:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

...Sloane Stephens is off to a rip-roaring start against Karolina Pliskova, the 16th seed. The American, a finalist at Roland-Garros in 2018, is 5-0 up in the first set.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 2-3 Benoit Paire

11:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A much more placid game. Norrie holds.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 1-3 Benoit Paire

11:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That moment seems to have just got Norrie’s synapses firing a little faster, the 14th seed lifting his energy and intensity in response to the injustice. He gets two break points, but Benoit Paire saves both of them, the second with his latest productive approach to the net.

A third goes begging, too, as Paire emphatically finds the fifth row on the bounce with a towering overhead. Ace down the centre, Norrie’s forehand drifts long; having failed to in the first set, Paire ensures he adds to his tally immediately after breaking.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 1-2 Benoit Paire

11:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cameron Norrie engages the umpire in debate after he’s docked a point for being deemed to have hindered Benoit Paire with a grunt. You can sort of understand his frustration - the noise was both minimal and some time before Paire approached his next forehand.

Anyway, break point...and finally Paire takes one!

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 1-1 Benoit Paire

11:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Paire is battling a rather clunky forehand, but fights through a handful of mistakes to level things up in the set.

Cameron Norrie 7-5, 1-0 Benoit Paire

11:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Simple enough start to set two for the Brit.

Cameron Norrie 7-5 Benoit Paire

11:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The best part of an hour of tennis and eventually Cam Norrie emerges one set in front. The 14th seed was nowhere near where he’d have liked to be, struggling to put Benoit Paire on the back foot, but he showed his fight to eventually capitalise on errors from the Frenchman that came a little too regularly. That might just dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm, which feels crucial with so much support for Paire on Suzanne Lenglen.

Into set two...

Cameron Norrie 7-5 Benoit Paire

11:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And after all of that squabbling over the eleventh game, Cameron Norrie seals the set by breaking an error-prone Benoit Paire.

Cameron Norrie 6-5 Benoit Paire

11:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This has been a corking first set. All of the intensity and aggression is coming from Paire, mixing errors with winners, but Norrie is finding big first serves just when he needs them and staying alive in enough points to continue to be right in the contest.

The British has now saved seven break points and takes the eleventh game as a disappointed Paire slumps into his chair.

Cameron Norrie 5-5 Benoit Paire

11:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Some more gesticulation from Benoit Paire as another decision fron a line judge rules in Norrie’s favour. A backhand into the net two points later prompts a growl of frustration, Paire frustrated by his failure to capitalise at 15-30.

The umpire is out of his chair as another close call on the right is questioned by the Frenchman...it’s out! Break point...and another powerless backhand lets it slip.

Norrie double faults. Can Paire take this chance? Not quite, but Norrie is having some trouble with his ball tosses, and twice errs again to give the Frenchman a third opportunity of the game...

Which also isn’t taken. On we go.

Cameron Norrie 5-5 Benoit Paire

10:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Paire fights back from 0-30, setting up game point with a slammed ace that kisses the T. Norrie manages to stay alive in the game, but is wrong-footed after Paire nudges into advantage.

We’re going long. Five apiece.

Novak Djokovic arrives at Roland-Garros

10:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Novak Djokovic begins his 2023 French Open campaign against Aleksandar Kovacevic in a little while, and is beginning to ready himself for first round action.

Cameron Norrie 5-4 Benoit Paire

10:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Norrie holds.

Cameron Norrie 4-4 Benoit Paire

10:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The noise lifts on Suzanne Lenglen again, Cameron Norrie misreading the bounce as he tries to launch into a forehand and giving his opponent another break point.

Oh, that’s loose. Paire was ahead in the point after a powerful attacking reply to Norrie’s second serve, but just got ahead of himself, finding the net with Norrie beginning to struggle to stay in the rally.

It’s a similar story two points later to take things back to deuce. 20 unforced errors from Paire already.

Cameron Norrie 4-4 Benoit Paire

10:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lucky! A first winner of the match from Norrie, clipping the net cord with a cross-court answer to Paire’s latest soft touch, with the ball skipping merrily off both the divider and then the surface with Paire unable to retrieve it.

Advantage Norrie; game Norrie. Paire pushes a backhand too long to cede serve - back to all square.

Cameron Norrie 3-4 Benoit Paire

10:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New balls for Paire to enjoy, hoping to put himself within a game of taking the first set. He’s looked good whenever he’s come to the net so far, another guided volley nudging him in front.

But that’s more like it from Norrie, patrolling the baseline and keeping Paire moving left and right. Break point earned...but not taken, Paire forcing an error with a disguised drop shot. Deuce.

Cameron Norrie 3-4 Benoit Paire

10:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Benoit Paire is feeling the love of the crowd, great cries of his name as he lobs an approaching Norrie with just enough oomph to clear the lanky Brit.

Oh, Benoit! Two basic, basic forehands ended up tangled in the net, letting 0-30 go without Norrie having to play a shot in anger.

Break point, though, as Norrie errs. Yes! The first game against the head for the Frenchman, with Norrie dragging a forehand wide.

Cameron Norrie 3-3 Benoit Paire

10:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A delightful forehand from Paire to earn advantage, whipping through the backside of the ball with serious elan. An ace and the game is his.

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