Roland Garros: Zverev sees off Tien to reach French Open second round

PARIS: Alexander Zverev made an impressive start to his latest bid for a first Grand Slam title with a straight-sets victory over American teenager Learner Tien at Roland Garros on Tuesday.

The German third seed, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s French Open final, saw off Tien 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Zverev will next face either Dutchman Jesper de Jong or Italy’s Francesco Passaro in the second round.

The 28-year-old, who has lost all three of his Grand Slam finals, has made at least the last four in each of the past four French Opens.

Tien, 19, appeared to be a tricky first-round draw for Zverev after an impressive run to the Australian Open last 16, but was no match for the world number three.

Similarly, Naomi Osaka said she “hates disappointing people” after sliding to a tough three-set loss to Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa in the first round of the French Open on Monday.

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Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka saved a set point in the opening set before dominating the tie-break, but Badosa ran away with the second set to force a decider.

Osaka regrouped and broke early for a 2-0 lead only for Badosa to quickly pull level, landing the crucial break in the seventh game on her way to a 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-4 victory.

“It was a tough match,” said Osaka, who suffered an agonising loss to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in last year’s second round, having held a match point.