Roger Federer defeats Istomin, advances to French Open second round

Star participant Dominic Thiem crashed out of the first round against Pablo Andujar.

Roger Federer began his latest French Open campaign without much fuss. He overcame Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the clay-court Grand Slam's 125th edition. Istomin, who had defeated India's Ramkumar Ramanathan in the qualifying round, didn't stand any chance against the Swiss legend who was dominant throughout.

Federer, whose only French Open crown came in 2009, will tackle Croatia's Marin Cilic or Arthur Rinderknech of France in the second round. He is tied with four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal for the most Grand Slam titles. However, this time all of the 'Big Three', which also includes World No.1 Novak Djokovic, have been paired in the same half of the draw.

Tsitsipas, Zverev win; Thiem crashes out

Among other high-profile men's players in action, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev won their opening round matches. Tsitsipas overcame a sluggish start to reach the second round of the French Open. He got the better of Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-1. The Greek won the Lyon Open title last week and is now on a five-match winning run on the clay.

Zverev's path to the second round was more complicated, with the German having to come from two sets down in a hard-fought match. The 24-year-old beat fellow countryman Oscar Otte 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0. On the other hand, two-time French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem suffered a shock defeat versus Spaniard Pablo Andujar 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Thiem's lack of confidence was evident throughout the first major upset of the ongoing clay-court Grand Slam.

Birthday girl starts title defence with victory

Defending women's singles champion Iga Swiatek celebrated her 20th birthday in style. The Polish eighth seed defeated her close friend Slovenia's Kaja Juvan 6-0, 7-5. Swiatek, who is on a seven-match winning run since her Rome Open victory, will face Rebecca Peterson of Sweden in the second round.

Osaka fined, threatened with expulsion

Meanwhile, world No.2 Naomi Osaka made a confident start to her French Open campaign. She comfortably beat Romanian Patricia Maria Tig 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). However, it is the off-field issues for which Osaka has been recently in the headlines.

The four-time Grand Slam winner has decided to skip press conferences in the ongoing French Open, citing mental health issues. However, the authorities didn't take Osaka's actions lightly. She was fined $15,000 and threatened with expulsion from the tournament if she continues to refuse to speak to the media. The Japanese superstar will take on another Romanian Ana Bogdan in the next round.

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