Alexander Zverev opens French Open campaign strong

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev went off to the races in the first round of the ongoing French Open after sweeping home bet Benjamin Bonzi, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, on May 24, 2026, at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris.

Despite an early exit in the Italian Open two weeks ago, the German ace shrugged off any slow-start issues and immediately pounced on Bonzi, handing him a straight-sets loss in front of his home fans.

Zverev immediately stole the momentum during the opener after scoring a much-needed break point that snapped a 2-all deadlock.

After climbing back from a 15-30 deficit, Zverev hit back-to-back down-the-line backhand winners to take the game-set lead, capped by a sweet drop shot that Bonzi failed to anticipate on the left side.

From that sequence, Zverev began to smell blood and pummeled Bonzi with a demoralizing 3-1 run for a 1-0 lead.

Too slick, powerful and crafty with his steady shot selection, Zverev effortlessly persuaded the French fans to cheer for him after displaying a masterful offensive show in the final two sets.

Bonzi had some moments in the second frame after breaking Zverev in the third game, but the more experienced netter answered with a quick break to maintain his lead.

The hometown favorite looked comfortable targeting Zverev’s backhand side to alleviate the forehand barrage he absorbed in the first set, but the World No. 3 ATP player put the crowd on its feet with a series of jaw-dropping net volleys.

After four consecutive forehand volleys, Zverev moved a point away from taking a 2-0 lead, wrapping up the 10th game with a looping backhand loaded with topspin to cut through the minimal wind conditions.

Zverev then put the final nail in the coffin after clinching a 3-1 lead, giving Bonzi no room to breathe with a suffocating offensive clinic.

After nearly two hours of tennis, Zverev finished the first-round victory with 98 total points won, including five break points, five service aces and 38 points on the return.

Zverev will continue his quest for a French Open Grand Slam title as he battles Czech challenger Tomas Machac, who earlier took down Zizou Bergs to advance.