Jannik Sinner makes strong start to French Open bid as he sweeps past Clement Tabur in first round to record 30th straight win

The world No. 1, who was beaten in the final of last year’s French Open by Carlos Alcaraz, needed just over two hours to win 6-1 6-3 6-3 against wildcard Tabur.

Sinner has now won 30 matches in a row.

”I’m very happy to be back here,” Sinner said in his on-court interview.

”It’s a very special place and I have great memories overall. First-round matches are never easy but it’s even more special to start the tournament during a night session."

He is bidding to complete the Career Grand Slam by winning the title for the first time and looks the strong favourite to do so.

Playing in cooler conditions in the evening session after another hot day in Paris, Sinner hit 40 winners and didn’t drop serve against Tabur.

He quickly took command of the match with three breaks in a one-sided first set.

The second set was more competitive as Tabur started to trade more confidently with Sinner from the baseline.

But the world No. 1 got the only break to take the set and had no troubles closing out the match in straight sets.

Sinner will next face Juan Manuel Cerundolo after he beat Britain's Jacob Fearnley in straight sets.

Asked about the pressure on him at this year's French Open, Sinner said: "Pressure is always going to be there. It's part of us as tennis players.

"I do believe everyone has pressure in their work. It's normal. So I try to take it in a very natural way. I know what kind of player I am.

"If you don't feel the pressure, it means you don't care. I do care a lot on what I'm trying to achieve on a tennis court, and the same time, I know it's not that the world is going down if I lose. In any case, I try to do my best. I'm a competitor. I try to put myself in the best possible position, and that's it."

Given his incredible form and the fact his biggest rival Alcaraz is out with injury, Sinner looks the man to beat at the French Open.

TNT Sports expert Tim Henman said before his first-round match that Sinner is "the heaviest favourite at Roland-Garros since Rafael Nadal in his prime."

Sinner started his quest for a first French Open title with a solid display against Tabur.

He impressed on serve as he won 80% of first-serve points and 73% on his second serve.

TNT Sports expert Mats Wilander says Sinner's serve is now one of the best in the game.

"Novak Djokovic is the same, they are so precise with their serves," Wilander said.

"He has found the timing and has the confidence. It is pretty incredible the serve profile he has these days, he has one of the best serves in the game. Just like Djokovic, they are not the hardest but they are well placed."

TNT Sports expert Boris Becker added: "Last year his serve was good; this year he is the best server in the world - that is the reason he keeps winning. It is not the groundstrokes, it is the serve."

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