Sinner kicks off Paris start with third-set comeback

Jannik Sinner rolled to his 15th consecutive Grand Slam win as he made a winning start at the French Open on Monday, coming from a double break down in the closing stages to beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

The world No. 1 who claimed titles at the US Open last autumn and began 2025 with a second Australian Open crown,  disappointed a crowd hoping for an upset by their French player,

But the Italian top seed quickly put paid to that long-odd scenario as he pounded the 75th-ranked Rinderknech in two and a quarter hours..

Sinner was back in his element at the event where he first secured the top ATP ranking by reaching a Roland Garros semi-final a year ago in Paris.

“First matches are never easy, I’m happy with how I handled the situation. To win in straight sets means a lot,” Sinner said.

“We’ve played a few times and know each other a bit. I k ow he’s French but I appreciate that the crowd was fair.”

Sinner had it all his way in the first two sets,  but suffered a minor setback as he lost serve to trail 2-0 in the third.

The sudden Rinderknech lead got the night-time crowd worked up, with cheering and a Mexican wave attempt briefly preventing Sinner from serving in the fourth game.

When the seed hit the net to go down a double break, the local crowd showed even more support for their man. But Sinner calmly got both back to put Rinderknech on the back foot once again to trail 4-5.

The Italian levelled at five apiece before his opponent double-faulted for a break point and Sinner converted for a 6-5 lead as Rinderknechc missed an easy overhead.

The three-time Grand Slam champion put the win to bed a game later, sending over a service winner to the corner on match point.

 “I just tried to focus on my side,” Sinner said. “He played well in the third.

“It was good to come back after the first break of my serve; he gave me a little help with some mistakes as he served for the set.

“I had the right attitude, I’m happy how I played today.”

Sinner will face another French test in the second round when he plays Richard Gasquet, with the local icon due to retire from the sport after two decades when his Roland Garros run is over.

“The next match will be very special,” Sinner said. “It doesn’t get any better.

“I’m happy to share the court with Richard, he has given so much to our sport. I hope it’s a good match, that’s the most important thing.

“I know the crowd will support him, and that’s OK.”