Roger Federer marked his return to the grand slam arena in dazzling fashion with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 first-round defeat of qualifier Denis Istomin at the French Open.
The 39-year-old Swiss had not played a grand slam match since the 2020 Australian Open and had managed only one claycourt match in the build-up to Roland Garros.
But any doubts about his condition were erased as he outclassed Istomin with a consummate display.
Federer delivered some of his typically stunning shot-making, including a string of early drop shots, and was playing in cruise control throughout the one-sided contest.
He was applauded warmly by the small Philippe Chatrier crowd who thoroughly enjoyed his 93 minute exhibition, which almost included what would have been a stunning tweener passing shot, that ultimately sailed just long.
Federer said Istomin's deep positioning in the court helped him but added he felt he had more options today than when he suffered a shock loss upon his return to tournament tennis a few weeks ago in Geneva.
"I had the option always to drop-shot him because he was playing far back, so I could also serve and volley," Federer said.
"I had multiple ways to win points which I didn't have in Geneva against (Pablo) Andujar, it (today) was a better match for me.
Swiss Federer, tied with Rafael Nadal on 20 grand slam titles, missed last year's French Open because of a knee injury and is appearing at Roland Garros for only the second time since 2015.
He will however have a tougher match in the second round against another grand slam winner, Croatia's Marin Cilic.
Cilic defeated French wildcard Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 6-2 in his first round match.
Cilic, the 2014 US Open winner is now ranked 47 in the world and unseeded but has twice pushed Federer to five sets in grand slams, at Wimbledon in 2016 and in the 2018 Australian Open final, the last grand slam title the Swiss ace won.
Tough day for Australians starts with Millman withdrawal
While it was a good day for Federer it was anything but for the Australian contingent.
The disappointment started before play even got underway, when world number 43 John Millman was forced to withdraw minutes before his opening round match with a back injury.
In bizarre scenes Italian player Gianluca Mager was given zero notice that it would be German lucky loser Peter Gojowczyk, and not Millman who turned up on court, but it did not stop him as he advanced to the second round with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory.
Millman was left crestfallen that he would not be able to play at Roland Garros, where he is yet to win a match, having lost to seeded players in all five first round attempts.
The 31-year-old Australian had suffered the injury two days prior in a practice hit with compatriot Alex De Minaur but was told playing could make it a lot worse.
"It's incredibly disappointing. I'm getting older now and I know I don't have a whole lot of these ones left," Millman said.
"I've played a lot of matches in my career when I've been injured, torn things, and played through it, so I wanted to give myself every chance.
"I got the medical experts — the ATP physios, the leading French osteopath here and the doctors — and I was headily medicated so I gave myself every opportunity but I didn't feel I could go on court and compete."
Millman's exit kicked off a tough day for the Australians in action.
Fellow Australian male Chris O'Connell, who received a wildcard into the tournament, suffered a particularly tough five-set loss.
The 26-year-old Australian fought back from two sets to love down against American world number 52 Tommy Paul before losing 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 10-8 in over three-and-a-half hours.
Jordan Thompson then exited the tournament with a 6-7 (8-6), 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 loss to 24-year-old Spaniard Jaume Munar.
Thompson's loss leaves De Minaur, James Duckworth and rising star Alexei Popyrin the only remaining chances of an Australian male making the second round at Roland Garros.
Popyrin though has the toughest assignment of all, with his first round match to be played early on Wednesday morning (AEST) against 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal.
In the women's singles Storm Sanders threatened a huge upset early as the qualifier from Queensland jumped out to a 4-1 lead on Belgian 14th seed Elise Mertens before ultimately losing 6-4 6-1.
ABC/Wires
