World number one Carlos Alcaraz came through a tricky test against Japan’s Taro Daniel to reach the French Open third round.
The Spaniard dropped the second set to the world number 97 but ultimately prevailed 6-1 3-6 6-1 6-2.
Alcaraz will face Canada’s Denis Shapovalov next as he continues his bid for a second Grand Slam title.
Earlier, fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the third round with a win over Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.
The Greek, runner-up at Roland Garros in 2021, won 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.
Alcaraz, top seed at a major for the first time in his career, is one of the favourites for the title having won last year’s US Open.
The 20-year-old cruised to the first set but was broken early in the second by Daniel, who has claimed impressive wins over Grand Slam runners-up Casper Ruud and Matteo Berrettini this year.
However Alcaraz responded strongly, breaking a further five times across the final two sets to complete a routine win.
“I’m winning all the time because I am smiling,” Alcaraz said. “And I always said that smiling, for me, is the key of everything.
“I enjoy being this kind of stadium, this kind of tournament, cities. That’s the most important for me to enjoy, and that’s why I smile all the time.”
(BBC)
