Story so far: Zverev survives scare, Thiem stunned

 - Reem Abulleil

German No.6 seed rallies back from two sets down as Dominic Thiem blows a two-set lead to bow out early

Alexander Zverev, Roland Garros 2021, first round© Philippe Montigny/FFT

US Open runner-up and No.6 seed Alexander Zverev clawed his way back from two sets down to move past his fellow German, qualifier Oscar Otte, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 in first-round action on Sunday.

A champion in Madrid earlier this month, the 24-year-old Zverev hit nine double faults and was broken four times but turned the tables on Otte, to book a second round against Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin.

Dominic Thiem fell in the opening round at Roland-Garros for the first time in his career after Pablo Andujar erased a two-set deficit to upset the Austrian No.4 seed 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

The 35-year-old Andujar, who defeated Roger Federer en route to the Geneva semi-finals two weeks ago, continued his resurgent spring by claiming a four-hour 28-minute victory over the world No.4.

>> WHAT WE LEARNED FROM ANDUJAR'S WIN OVER THIEM

Andujar, ranked 68 in the world, now owns six top-10 victories, including the two he notched this month on red clay.

It is the first time the Spaniard has successfully fought back from two sets down and it earned him the 150th tour-level match-win of his career.

"It's very special for me, to achieve this at 35 years old, I don't know how much longer I'm going to play," an elated Andujar told the French crowd on court after claiming his first top-five win.

"This win is a real gift."

Over on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, Belarusian third seed Aryna Sabalenka navigated her way past tricky qualifier and former world No.20 Ana Konjuh 6-4, 6-3 in 75 minutes.

Despite committing seven double faults and dropping serve four times, Sabalenka managed to overcome the recent Belgrade runner-up, hitting 24 winners in a topsy-turvy affair.

Sabalenka now owns 26 match-wins this season - the second-highest tally on tour - and will next face her countrywoman Aliaksandra Sasnovich or French teenage wildcard Diane Parry.

Aryna Sabalenka, Roland Garros 2021, first round© Philippe Montigny/FFT

It was a good day for another Belarusian as Victoria Azarenka survived a gruelling affair with long-time foe Svetlana Kuznetsova in a battle between two two-time Grand Slam champions.

The 15th-seeded Azarenka moved into the second round with a two-hour 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 success over Kuznetsova, to set up a meeting with Danish youngster Clara Tauson.

Victoria Azarenka, Roland Garros 2021, first round© Corinne Dubreuil/FFT

2019 semi-finalist Amanda Anisimova suffered defeat at the hands of Russian No.29 seed Veronika Kudermetova, while former junior champion Leylah Fernandez was untroubled in her 6-2, 6-1 dismissal of Anastasia Potapova.

Bulgarian ex-world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov made a heartbreaking exit as he retired with a back injury in the fourth set after leading Marcos Giron by two sets and 5-1, and holding three match points at 40-0.

His American opponent sidestepped the match points and took the next nine games before the 16th-seeded Dimitrov was forced to quit the contest.

Grigor Dimitrov, Roland Garros 2021, first round© Nicolas Gouhier/FFT