Wawrinka rolls over Murray at Roland Garros, Alcaraz opens with routine win

There is no guarantee from any of the veterans, but a whole host of star players on the men’s side could be bidding farewell to the French Open in 2024. Rafael Nadal, of course, is the most notable of that group. Also among them are Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, and Fabio Fognini.

Speaking of guarantees, either Murray or Wawrinka was always going to exit this edition of Roland Garros in the first round because they had to go head-to-head. Their 24th all-time meeting took place on Sunday afternoon and it was one-way traffic from start to finish, as Wawrinka rolled 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Their handshake at the net lasted almost as long as the entire match. Well, not really…but it went on for close to a minute.

“I think I played my best match of the year,” said Wawrinka, 39. “I think I was feeling good. I was moving well. I was playing aggressive. I liked the conditions, and I’m super happy with the performance and the level. It’s really positive for me.

“It was emotional, for sure. We’re getting closer to the end and we played so many times over the past 20 years. A lot of emotion. (It) was amazing to be on the Chatrier night session, something I never had a chance to do. And, yeah, he’s (an) amazing guy, amazing player, such a big fighter. We have a lot of respect for each other.”

Wawrinka trails the head-to-head series 13-11 but has now won three of his four French Open encounters with Murray, 37. They split a pair of semifinals in 2016 and 2017 before the Swiss also dominated a first-round contest in 2020 (6-1, 6-3, 6-2).

Also advancing on Sunday was No. 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz, who erased lucky loser J.J. Wolf 6-1, 6-2, 6-1. Although Alcaraz was a massive favorite, it was still a statement win for the 21-year-old Spaniard since he is coming back from a right-arm injury.

Gasquet is into round two, as well, after knocking off Borna Coric 7-6(5), 7-6(2), 7-5.

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