World No.3 to meet Czech Tomas Machac in RG 2026 second round
The No.2 seed Alexander Zverev drew on his vast Grand Slam experience to navigate past Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in the first round of Roland-Garros 2026 on Sunday.
The 2024 runner-up stormed through 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to clear the opening stage for the 10th time in 11 trips to Paris.
Chasing an elusive first Grand Slam title, Zverev advances to a meeting with Tomas Machac, who he defeated on these grounds at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“That was a very good start to the tournament. It’s always nice to start in straight sets, especially against Benjamin, who can cause problems to top players.
“All around a good performance. I have to build on it, but I’m very happy.”
The German has never hidden has aspirations to lift a Grand Slam trophy and on three occasions he’s come ever so close as a runner-up.
Major glory is built on consistency and the world No.3 excels at bringing an elite level week in, week out.
Take his recent form. Zverev advanced to the semi-finals or more in three of his four clay tournaments played this year, highlighted by run to the Madrid final.
What about his Roland-Garros record? The 29-year-old has reached the quarter-finals or beyond of the past five editions. All of that Grand Slam knowhow came to the fore on Chatrier.
The rocket serve, the transitions forward, the scooped groundstrokes, Zverev was able to find his rhythm from the off against Bonzi, a player who recently took a set off world No.1 Jannik Sinner in Madrid.
During the early exchanges, the No.2 seed chased down a drop shot and cut an acute backhand across Bonzi’s reach to glance the inside in sideline. And he kept on answering all the questions to accelerate a set and a break up.
Bonzi started to step in and pin Zverev back to restore parity for 4-4 in the second set, but just like all major champions, they flip the script, instantly reapply the pressure and take back the initiative. An instinctive drop shot later and Zverev was two sets to the good.
Just before closing out victory, the towering German connected with a laser-like backhand return winner, letting out an extended roar while looking up to the sky.
Soon Zverev was basking in the warm sunshine courtesy of a 39th Roland-Garros match win. Only three active men have compiled more victories than Zverev at Porte d’Auteuil with Novak Djokovic (101), Stan Wawrinka (46) and Gael Monfils (40) ahead of him.
“In five set matches, in Grand Slams, there are always going to be ups and downs. You always have to stay focused, look at yourself to then play your best tennis,” stated Zverev.
“Mentally you always have to be ready and I am excited for what’s coming in the next couple of days.
“Benjamin is a great player, but I know that the further you go in the tournament, the more difficult the opponents will get.
“I feel like everybody won’t play their best tennis in the first round, if they do, then ‘bravo'. Sometimes it’s good to start off feeling like you can improve. Hopefully I can do that.”
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
