Related Video and Audio
Got a TV Licence?
You need one to watch live TV on any channel or device, and BBC programmes on iPlayer. It’s the law.
Find out more
Summary
- Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer begins his tournament against Italian Lorenzo Sonego
- Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams faces ninth seed Elina Svitolina in tricky first-round match
- Second seed Karolina Pliskova plays the American Madison Brengle later on
- Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber knocked out by world number 81 Anastasia Potapova
- Press the play icon to listen to commentary from the BBC Radio 5 Live team
Live Reporting
By Alex Bysouth
All times stated are UK
Get involved
- Send a text to81111 (charged at your standard message rate)
- Twitter:Use the hashtag#bbctennis
- Facebook:BBC Sport
Post update
*Federer 4-1 Sonego
Roger Federer sporting an understated grey jersey today, think Gareth Southgate missing a penalty in Euro 96… and Lorenzo Sonego is starting to find his feet. The Italian edges to 15-30 before yanking a backhand wide on the run.
Post update
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland Garros
“Hmmm, Alexey Vatutin. How do I spell that?”
*checks sheet of paper*
Outside Court Philippe Chatrier is a giant draws board – which is being filled up with 256 names.
The man with the steadiest hand at Roland Garros, and/or neatest handwriting, is almost at the end of the men’s draw. Then it’s on to the other side for the women’s draw.
Wonder which two names will be left on here in a fortnight’s time?
Copyright: BBC Sport
Sonego holds
*Federer 4-1 Sonego
Lorenzo Sonego engineers a chance to hold at 40-15. And the world number 73 does get on the board, a little fist pump to mark the occasion, too.
*denotes next server.
Post update
Federer 4-0 Sonego*
Now then, can Lorenzo Sonego take his first game at the French Open? Not when Roger Federer is playing pick-up shots like that, dashing in to meet the Italian’s drop shot and coaxing a winner beyond his despairing opponent…
Post update
Federer 4-0 Sonego*
Blimey. Roger Federer nearly put a hole in Lorenzo Sonego with that bullet of a backhand, with the Italian having to duck out of the way at the net after showing some resistance in a competitive rally
Federer cruises to 30-0, but is pegged back to 40-30 before holding.
*denotes next server.
Federer takes double break
*Federer 3-0 Sonego
An absolute procession for the 20-time Grand Slam champ at the minute – Roger Federer’s deep return is too hot for Lorenzo Sonego to handle and the Swiss takes an early double break.
Post update
Federer 2-0 Sonego*
That seemed to rattle the beast…
Roger Federer makes it 30-40 to bring up a chance to break again.
Post update
Federer 2-0 Sonego*
Better from the 24-year-old Italian, wrong-footing his veteran opponent to slide across the clay and deliver a forehand winner – 30-30.
Post update
Federer 2-0 Sonego*
If Lorenzo Sonego wasn’t aware of the challenge facing him before today’s match, he is now.
Roger Federer has barely broken sweat on his way to a 2-0 lead, before scuttling into the net to sting a backhand volley beyond the Italian to make it 0-30.
*denotes next server.
Post update
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland Garros
“ROGER! ROGER! ROGER!”
Safe to say a packed Chatrier is pleased to see Federer back on the red dirt.
A few Fed Heads even ‘Ole!’ each of his shots in the warm-up…
Safe to say they’re pleased by his start…
Copyright: BBC Sport
Post update
Federer 2-0 Sonego*
Lorenzo Sonego takes a point on the Federer serve, but it’s the tiniest of blemishes for the Swiss as he fires down an ace to hold.
Post update
*Federer 1-0 Sonego
Ruthless for Rog.
Wham, bam, easing into another Grand Slam… the Swiss powers his way to 30-0.
Post update
Naomi Cavaday
Former professional tennis player on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
What a panoramic view we have got! It is the biggest commentary box view I have been in. The crowd is pretty much full.
Federer breaks
*Federer 1-0 Sonego
That didn’t take long…
Lorenzo Sonego slams a forehand long and Roger Federer breaks in the opening game of match.
*denotes next server.
Post update
Federer 0-0 Sonego*
Early break point chance for Roger Federer, as Lorenzo Sonego’s deft drop shot comes up short…
Post update
Federer 0-0 Sonego*
It may have been a while since he’s played the French Open, but it’s the same old Roger Federer – the Swiss takes the opening point.
But’s it Italian Lorenzo Sonego who gets the better of a lengthy rally to get himself on the board and make it 15-15.
Post update
Federer 0-0 Sonego*
And it will be Lorenzo Sonego who serves first…
* denotes
next serverEyes on… Sonego
Federer v Sonego
Copyright: EPA
Lorenzo Sonego is a relatively unknown quantity on the circuit and the Italian has only recently started making a name for himself after he reached the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters and the Morocco Open clay tournaments this season.
This is the first time the 24-year-old world number 73 has reached the first round at Roland Garros and the odds are heavily against him beating the third seed.
Same name, different feel
The new Chatrier
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland Garros
Copyright: BBC Sport
Almost as soon as darkness fell on Roland Garros on the day of last year’s men’s final, the demolition of Court Philippe Chatrier began.
The concrete tribunes came down in the following weeks and months, with a brand new 15,000 stadium springing up in its place.
In many ways the structure is similar – grey and linear – to keep its distinctive Parisian feel.
Inside is where you feel the difference. Spacious seats and clearer views benefit both the fans and the media.
The stadium is only 80% finished (still an impressive turnaround in less than a year) with a retractable roof set to be installed before next year’s tournament.
That will mean play can continue when it’s raining and, from 2021, night sessions will be held.
Copyright: BBC Sport
Fed plays down title chances
Federer v Sonego
Copyright: Getty Images
Roger Federer is playing down his chances of winning a second French Open – suggesting Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are better placed than him to take the title.
“I feel like I’m playing good tennis, but is it enough against the absolute top guys when it really comes to the crunch? I’m not sure if it’s in my racquet,” said Federer.
“I’m very happy to be back, maybe a tiny bit more because when I have missed the last three editions, and when you miss something in life, you’re happy to be back there again.
“Centre court looks very different. There has been a lot of upgrades and investments made.
“But I feel it is still the old Roland Garros, it’s kept its flair and everything.”
0 Comments: