PA Media/dpa
Paris
Carlos Alcaraz shrugged off any injury fears as he tamed JJ Wolf to roar into the second round of the French Open.
The Spanish world number three’s participation at Roland Garros was in doubt after he pulled out of the Italian Open earlier this month due to an issue with his forearm.
But the two-time major winner was in no obvious discomfort as he bared his teeth by dropping just four games against American Wolf.
Wearing a protective sleeve on his right arm, the 21-year-old Wimbledon champion crashed down five aces and clubbed 27 winners in a statement 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier.
He said: “I’m really happy to be back here in Paris to compete again, it’s been a very difficult month for me because I love competing.”
Naomi Osaka overcame a bout of nerves to get off to a winning start at the French Open women’s match.
The former world number one from Japan needed a deciding set to beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 in the opening match on Court Philippe Chatrier.
