Carlos Alcaraz relished making his debut on Court Philippe Chatrier as the rising star made an impressive start to his French Open campaign on Sunday.

Madrid Open champion Alcaraz won his first-round clash against Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero 6-4 6-2 6-0 as the tournament in Paris got underway.

The 19-year-old has been tipped as one of the favourites to win the second major of the year.

He dispatched Londero in under two hours and enjoyed his time in the spotlight.

Asked about his first experience on Philippe Chatrier, Alcaraz said, “It was difficult at the beginning, but it’s always special to play in such a great stadium, a great court. “I’m really happy with the performance in my first match in Philippe Chatrier, and hope to play more matches on this court.”

He added, “I am trying to be focused just on the tournaments, on the matches, and trying [not] to be a part of the social media and everyone talking about you. Just focus on what I have to improve, what I have to do in the matches, what I have to do every day to be ready for the tournament.”

Elsewhere, third seed Alexander Zverev opened his campaign with a comprehensive 6-2 6-4 6-4 win over Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner.

A semi-finalist at Roland-Garros last year, Zverev —– who did not even allow Ofner a single break-point opportunity —– was asked what he had learned about himself in the 12 months since.

“Well, you grow, you grow up in a way,” said the German. “Each year you understand more and more what it takes to be pro tennis players, that there are difficulties on the court, that there are difficulties in any job that you do.”

He added, “Generally speaking, I get older, I’m 25 years old now. I’m not the young guy that Alcaraz is or some of the other guys are any more. I think as any other person as well, just taking tennis away, you just get more life experience.”

Zverev is yet to learn his second-round opponent, but Alcaraz will face fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas next.

(dpa/NAN)