Rusty Djokovic through to French Open second round on Grand Slam return
Making a record 82nd appearance at majors, Djokovic sealed a 5-7 7-5 6-1 6-4 triumph on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The Serb rolled past Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez for the most Grand Slam men's singles appearances, taking his tally to 82, but he was far from his dominant best early having played only one previous match on clay this season.
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Djokovic celebrated with a victory jig, saying: "I want to congratulate Giovanni for a great match. It's not many times in my career I've faced a serve like that.
"In the first set I had no chance. The second set it changed a little for me. In a match like that you have to stay concentrated and wait for an opportunity, It's a little complicated but I found my best game, you could say, and my return at the right moment."
That rust briefly showed and Mpetshi Perricard broke for a 6-5 lead in the opening set, which he claimed with a big ace in the next game to become the first man in 17 years to take a set off Djokovic in the first round of Roland-Garros.
Third seed Djokovic weathered more of Mpetshi Perricard's power from the baseline and converted his 10th break point of the second set to level the contest and the 39-year-old steadily dialled up the intensity to cruise through the third set.
Mpetshi Perricard received treatment for a wrist and arm issue and recovered an early break in the next set, but Djokovic edged in front again at 4-3 and paved the way for an opening win.
Advancing to the second round in his 22nd consecutive Roland-Garros appearance, the three-time champion will next face Frenchman Valentin Royer.
The 24-year-old eased past Hugo Dellien 6-4 6-2 6-2 in one hour and 58 minutes.
Fritz falls to Basavareddy in shock defeat
Seventh seed Taylor Fritz was stunned 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (9-11) 6-1 by fellow American Nishesh Basavareddy as his injury-disrupted clay-court season ended with a whimper.
Fritz returned with an opening defeat at Geneva last week after two months away due to a knee injury and he showed signs of rust under the afternoon sun on Court Suzanne-Lenglen against 21-year-old wildcard Basavareddy.
"I knew I was playing at a high level," Basavareddy said. "If I kept going, I'd have more chances, and I was able to come out strong in the beginning of the fourth set. That was the best set I think I've ever played."
Zverev in cruise control under blazing sun
Alexander Zverev started his campaign with a meticulous 6-3 6-4 6-2 first-round demolition of France's Benjamin Bonzi in searing heat.
The 2024 runner-up and three-time semi-finalist, who is chasing his maiden Grand Slam title, never allowed the world No 95 into the contest on Philippe-Chatrier as he set up a second-round meeting with Tomas Machac.
"Very good start to the tournament, it's always good to start with a win in straight sets especially against Benjamin who can be a tricky opponent," the German second seed said.
Gea takes emergency bathroom break during debut
Home player Arthur Gea ran off the court for an emergency bathroom break early in the first set of his debut on Sunday.
"I need to go to the bathroom. I can't move anymore. I'm going to [go] on the court," Gea told the chair umpire in French before hastily running off Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
The 135th-ranked Gea was trailing 13th-seeded Karen Khachanov 4-2 when he made his move. Khachanov won 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 6-0.
Gea said the umpire allowed him the break because of "medical circumstances" and that he was given some medicine to settle his stomach pain.
After the match, Gea said he had not felt ill the night before but started feeling unwell when he woke up in the morning.
"During the match it was even worse," he said. "I had to go to the toilet really quick."
What's happening on Monday at the French Open?
The first round of the French Open continues with British qualifier Toby Samuel, 23, taking on Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur first up on Court 14 at 10am BST, while fellow Brit Katie Boulter faces American world No 185 Akasha Urhobo third on Court 8.
Four-time champion Iga Swiatek, world No 2 Elena Rybakina and newly crowned Italian Open champion Elina Svitolina among the top seeds in action.
Meanwhile, former champion Stan Wawrinka and home favourite Gael Monfils prepare to bid farewell to Roland-Garros ahead of retirement.
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