Top seed Jannik Sinner displayed commendable composure and aplomb on Monday night to quell the partisan centre court crowd on his way to overpowering the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.
The victory advanced him to a second round match on Thursday against another home favourite Richard Gasquet who will retire from the ATP circuit once he is defeated at the French Open.
"I know the next match is going to be special," said Sinner. "It doesn't get better. Richard gave so much to our sport and gave so much to French tennis.
"I will be happy to play this match. I know the crowd will support him. That's OK. I'm happy to share this match with him."
Gasquet progressed earlier in the day following a four-set victory over compatriot Terence Atmane.
When asked about his second round opponent, the 38-year-old was as stylish as his backhand.
"At the end of your career for your last match, you couldn't dream better than playing the world number one," he said.
"I'll be happy to play against Arthur, because it would mean he won."
Match
For the first 80 minutes of the night session match, that prospect appeared unlikely.
Rinderknech, ranked 75 in the world, started boldly against the 23-year-old Italian who returned to competition at the Italian Open in Rome a fortnight ago after serving a three-month ban for a doping offence.
But the local hero failed to exploit three break points midway through the opener and eventually cracked at the end of the set to hand it to Sinner 6-4.
Without much ado, Sinner took the second 6-3 to seize control.
But a lapse of concentration at the start of the third allowed Rinderknech to open up a 2-0 lead. He held his own service and snaffled Sinner's again to extend the advantage to 4-0.
Chance
But he botched the chance to go 5-0 ahead and from 4-1, Sinner reeled him in.
Rinderknech served for the third set at 5-3 but the 29-year-old fluffed his lines.
Sinner eventually levelled at 5-5 and it was Rinderknech's time to go walkabout when serving to take a 6-5 lead.
His second double fault of the match offered Sinner a break point and a wayward forehand volley gave him the break and the opportunity to serve for the match.
The world number one, who lost in last year's semi-final to the eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, capitalised on the reprieve to terminate proceedings after two hours and 15 minutes.
"First round matches are never easy," said Sinner. "I missed a couple of shots in the third set and Arthur played very well but I tried to keep a good mindset."
