Russia's Daniil Medvedev defeated Benoit Paire of France 6-3 6-4 in the first round of the Abierto Mexicano tournament in Acapulco on Tuesday to get his quest for the world number one ranking off to a winning start.

World number two Medvedev is looking to ascend to the top ranking for the first time by displacing Serbian Novak Djokovic, who is competing at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Djokovic will be forced to relinquish the crown even if he wins Dubai for a sixth time, provided the Russian wins the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, where he is making his tournament debut.

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"If Novak would not be playing, then maybe it would be a little bit more in my mind because it would only be me and it depends on what I can do," Medvedev said.

Taking to the main showcourt after Medvedev's win, Rafa Nadal breezed past 100th-ranked American Denis Kudla 6-3 6-2 in his first match since winning the Australian Open last month for his 21st Grand Slam title.

The 35-year-old Spaniard seemed to have some problems with the humidity on a warm night in the coastal resort town and decided to save as much energy as he could, sealing the contest in 76 minutes with his 16th forehand winner and 26th overall.

Nadal lost just four points on his serve while breaking his opponent three times to race to his 11th consecutive win in the 2022 season.

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"It has been a positive start, a good victory in straight sets. That's always very positive for the confidence," Nadal said. "I think I played a very solid match, a good effort today."

Medvedev's contest also appeared to be a one-sided affair when Paire dumped a lifeless forehand into the net to hand the Russian the first set in 51 minutes. But Paire flexed his muscle in the second, attacking the Russian's serve for a 4-2 lead.

Playing for the first time since his defeat to Nadal in the Australian Open final, Medvedev kept his focus and outworked the Frenchman in a back-and-forth deuce game to level at 4-4 and sealed the win when Paire's backhand sailed into the net.

"It's always not easy to come back after some rest and some time off competition," Medvedev said. "Sometimes better, sometimes worse.

"I felt like my sensations were not at the top today, but I managed to fight until the end against a very tough opponent and I'm happy that I managed to win."

Fourth-ranked Serbian Stefanos Tsitsipas was made to work hard by Serbia's 51st-ranked Laslo Djere before the Greek registered a 7-6(7) 7-6(4) win in two hours and 13 minutes.

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But Italian world number six Matteo Berrettini bowed out, retiring with an injury against American Tommy Paul. The Wimbledon finalist won the first set 6-4 but quit while trailing 1-5 in the second.

Australian John Millman was also forced to retire against American Marcus Giron when he suffered a freak injury by hitting the tennis ball into his own eye.

Russia's Daniil Medvedev defeated Benoit Paire of France 6-3 6-4 in the first round of the Abierto Mexicano tournament in Acapulco on Tuesday to get his quest for the world number one ranking off to a winning start.

Russia's Daniil Medvedev defeated Benoit Paire of France 6-3 6-4 in the first round of the Abierto Mexicano tournament in Acapulco on Tuesday to get his quest for the world number one ranking off to a winning start. World number two Medvedev is looking to ascend to the top ranking for the first time by displacing Serbian Novak Djokovic, who is competing at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Djokovic will be forced to relinquish the crown even if he wins Dubai for a sixth time, provided the Russian wins the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, where he is making his tournament debut. ALSO READ: WION exclusive: Win against Magnus Carlsen a big boost, gives confidence, says chess sensation Praggnanandhaa "If Novak would not be playing, then maybe it would be a little bit more in my mind because it would only be me and it depends on what I can do," Medvedev said. Taking to the main showcourt after Medvedev's win, Rafa Nadal breezed past 100th-ranked American Denis Kudla 6-3 6-2 in his first match since winning the Australian Open last month for his 21st Grand Slam title. The 35-year-old Spaniard seemed to have some problems with the humidity on a warm night in the coastal resort town and decided to save as much energy as he could, sealing the contest in 76 minutes with his 16th forehand winner and 26th overall. Nadal lost just four points on his serve while breaking his opponent three times to race to his 11th consecutive win in the 2022 season. ALSO READ: NBC Universal draws worst Olympic ratings with Beijing Games 2022 "It has been a positive start, a good victory in straight sets. That's always very positive for the confidence," Nadal said. "I think I played a very solid match, a good effort today." Medvedev's contest also appeared to be a one-sided affair when Paire dumped a lifeless forehand into the net to hand the Russian the first set in 51 minutes. But Paire flexed his muscle in the second, attacking the Russian's serve for a 4-2 lead. Playing for the first time since his defeat to Nadal in the Australian Open final, Medvedev kept his focus and outworked the Frenchman in a back-and-forth deuce game to level at 4-4 and sealed the win when Paire's backhand sailed into the net. "It's always not easy to come back after some rest and some time off competition," Medvedev said. "Sometimes better, sometimes worse. "I felt like my sensations were not at the top today, but I managed to fight until the end against a very tough opponent and I'm happy that I managed to win." Fourth-ranked Serbian Stefanos Tsitsipas was made to work hard by Serbia's 51st-ranked Laslo Djere before the Greek registered a 7-6(7) 7-6(4) win in two hours and 13 minutes. ALSO READ: UAE, Ireland qualify for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia But Italian world number six Matteo Berrettini bowed out, retiring with an injury against American Tommy Paul. The Wimbledon finalist won the first set 6-4 but quit while trailing 1-5 in the second. Australian John Millman was also forced to retire against American Marcus Giron when he suffered a freak injury by hitting the tennis ball into his own eye.

Mexican Open: Daniil Medvedev beats France's Benoit Paire in pursuit of world no. 1 ranking

France's Benoit Paire was removed from the US Open men's draw on Sunday after the Grand Slam tournament announced an unidentified player had been withdrawn after testing positive for COVID-19.

Paire's name was removed from the US Open website's official draw and replaced with that of 149th-ranked Spaniard Marcel Granollers, who is set to face Poland's 108th-ranked Kamil Majchrzak in a first-round match next week.

French sports daily L'Equipe had earlier reported that world number 22 Paire had tested positive for coronavirus in New York.

The US Tennis Association said the asymptomatic player has been advised to follow state and tournament health and safety protocols requiring isolation for at least 10 days.

Contact tracing has been initiated to determine if anyone else must quarantine for 14 days as a result of being around the player involved.

L'Equipe said fellow French players Richard Gasquet, Gregoire Barrere, Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Adrian Mannarino have been confined to their hotel rooms at the tournament until further notice.

News of the positive test comes after players have been practicing and playing a tuneup event, the ATP and WTA Western and Southern Open, usually staged in Cincinnati, in the same quarantine bubble where the US Open begins Monday without spectators.

Paire, 31, was seeded 17th. He made his first Grand Slam fourth round in 2015 at the US Open and that remains level for his deepest Slam run.

USTA officials aren't expected to confirm any individual player's test results under US medical privacy laws.

Paire had arrived in the US on August 18 and numerous coronavirus tests had returned negative results.

However, he was forced to retire from his first round match in the Western and Southern Open against Borna Coric after complaining of feeling unwell.

World number one Novak Djokovic is the man to beat as he chases an 18th Grand Slam title and fourth crown on the New York hardcourts after 2011, 2015 and 2018.

Serena Williams will attempt to capture her 24th career Grand Slam women's singles crown to match the all-time record set by Margaret Court.

Djokovic and Japan's Naomi Osaka, whose status is in doubt due to a left hamstring injury that forced her to pull out of Saturday's WTA New York final, are both scheduled to play in Monday night's feature matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Parts of the US National Tennis Center grounds were turned into makeshift hospitals during the worst of the pandemic in New York last April.

Intense cleaning and safety protocols were put in place before the US Open allowed players into the bubble.&nbsp;

The number of support personnel for each players was limited to keep the number of people inside the bubble to a minimum.

Most players are housed at specific hotels in a quarantine move and those who rent private houses, such as Djokovic, had to pay for safety measures and security to ensure their lockdown areas were as safeguarded as the quarantine bubble.

France's Benoit Paire was removed from the US Open men's draw on Sunday after the Grand Slam tournament announced an unidentified player had been withdrawn after testing positive for COVID-19.

France's Benoit Paire was removed from the US Open men's draw on Sunday after the Grand Slam tournament announced an unidentified player had been withdrawn after testing positive for COVID-19. Paire's name was removed from the US Open website's official draw and replaced with that of 149th-ranked Spaniard Marcel Granollers, who is set to face Poland's 108th-ranked Kamil Majchrzak in a first-round match next week. French sports daily L'Equipe had earlier reported that world number 22 Paire had tested positive for coronavirus in New York. The US Tennis Association said the asymptomatic player has been advised to follow state and tournament health and safety protocols requiring isolation for at least 10 days. Contact tracing has been initiated to determine if anyone else must quarantine for 14 days as a result of being around the player involved. L'Equipe said fellow French players Richard Gasquet, Gregoire Barrere, Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Adrian Mannarino have been confined to their hotel rooms at the tournament until further notice. News of the positive test comes after players have been practicing and playing a tuneup event, the ATP and WTA Western and Southern Open, usually staged in Cincinnati, in the same quarantine bubble where the US Open begins Monday without spectators. Paire, 31, was seeded 17th. He made his first Grand Slam fourth round in 2015 at the US Open and that remains level for his deepest Slam run. USTA officials aren't expected to confirm any individual player's test results under US medical privacy laws. Paire had arrived in the US on August 18 and numerous coronavirus tests had returned negative results. However, he was forced to retire from his first round match in the Western and Southern Open against Borna Coric after complaining of feeling unwell. World number one Novak Djokovic is the man to beat as he chases an 18th Grand Slam title and fourth crown on the New York hardcourts after 2011, 2015 and 2018. Serena Williams will attempt to capture her 24th career Grand Slam women's singles crown to match the all-time record set by Margaret Court. Djokovic and Japan's Naomi Osaka, whose status is in doubt due to a left hamstring injury that forced her to pull out of Saturday's WTA New York final, are both scheduled to play in Monday night's feature matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Parts of the US National Tennis Center grounds were turned into makeshift hospitals during the worst of the pandemic in New York last April. Intense cleaning and safety protocols were put in place before the US Open allowed players into the bubble. The number of support personnel for each players was limited to keep the number of people inside the bubble to a minimum. Most players are housed at specific hotels in a quarantine move and those who rent private houses, such as Djokovic, had to pay for safety measures and security to ensure their lockdown areas were as safeguarded as the quarantine bubble.

Paire removed from US Open after COVID-19 positive revealed

French veteran Jo-Wilfried Tsonga believes he has nothing to lose against Roger Federer as he continues along the comeback trail in the second round of the ATP tournament in Halle this Thursday.

Tsonga, 34, missed seven months of last season due to knee surgery but has shown solid form this month upon his return to grass court tennis for the first time since 2017.

After reaching the second round in Stuttgart last week, the Frenchman beat compatriot Benoit Paire in straight sets in Halle on Tuesday to set up a second round fixture with Federer on Thursday.

"It is always special to play <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/halle-open-roger-federer-begins-grasscourt-season-with-win-over-john-millman-228558&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjR2fnKt_fiAhVOAogKHWG2AD0QFjAFegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0lnul5eNkR18zTFDZI1CqI">Federer</a>, I will give everything I've got," Tsonga told AFP.

"There is less pressure than usual, because there is no shame in losing to Roger Federer. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain,"&nbsp;Tsonga said.&nbsp;

The Frenchman is one of the few players who can boast of a perfect record on grass against eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer.

The two have met only once on the surface, a gruelling battle at Wimbledon in 2011, which Tsonga won after clawing back a two-set deficit.

"It's true I have never lost to him on grass, but that is only because we have only played once," said Tsonga.

"If we had played ten times, the roles would probably be reversed.It is a different situation now. I want to do well, but I am coming back from a long way away,"&nbsp;Tsonga added.

Once ranked number five in the world, Tsonga now sits at 77th in the ATP rankings, having slipped as low as 210th after his injury.

Tsonga told AFP he was happy with his return to the tour this season, but that he still felt the effects of his spell on the sidelines.

"I am still paying for it a bit after a whole year of not playing. It's as if I actually retired last year," he said.

"But I am happy, there have been no catastrophes. Physically, I am getting better and better each week," said&nbsp;Tsonga.&nbsp;

Speaking after his own first-round victory against John Millman, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-rafael-nadal-beats-roger-federer-to-reach-12th-final-225296&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiV8s38t_fiAhVK_GEKHdrEAXYQFjACegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2qXyVuD2QzBiCea2SZ2DWw">Federer </a>said he was happy to see Tsonga back on the court.

"We trained together in Miami a few weeks ago, and we get on well," said the world number three.

"Jo-Wilfried has shown in the past that he can beat me. Whether on hard court, clay or grass, he is always dangerous. It's a tough draw for the second round,"&nbsp;Federer said.

French veteran Jo-Wilfried Tsonga believes he has nothing to lose against Roger Federer as he continues along the comeback trail in the second round of the ATP tournament in Halle this Thursday.

French veteran Jo-Wilfried Tsonga believes he has nothing to lose against Roger Federer as he continues along the comeback trail in the second round of the ATP tournament in Halle this Thursday. Tsonga, 34, missed seven months of last season due to knee surgery but has shown solid form this month upon his return to grass court tennis for the first time since 2017. After reaching the second round in Stuttgart last week, the Frenchman beat compatriot Benoit Paire in straight sets in Halle on Tuesday to set up a second round fixture with Federer on Thursday. "It is always special to play Federer, I will give everything I've got," Tsonga told AFP. "There is less pressure than usual, because there is no shame in losing to Roger Federer. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain," Tsonga said. The Frenchman is one of the few players who can boast of a perfect record on grass against eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer. The two have met only once on the surface, a gruelling battle at Wimbledon in 2011, which Tsonga won after clawing back a two-set deficit. "It's true I have never lost to him on grass, but that is only because we have only played once," said Tsonga. "If we had played ten times, the roles would probably be reversed.It is a different situation now. I want to do well, but I am coming back from a long way away," Tsonga added. Once ranked number five in the world, Tsonga now sits at 77th in the ATP rankings, having slipped as low as 210th after his injury. Tsonga told AFP he was happy with his return to the tour this season, but that he still felt the effects of his spell on the sidelines. "I am still paying for it a bit after a whole year of not playing. It's as if I actually retired last year," he said. "But I am happy, there have been no catastrophes. Physically, I am getting better and better each week," said Tsonga. Speaking after his own first-round victory against John Millman, Federer said he was happy to see Tsonga back on the court. "We trained together in Miami a few weeks ago, and we get on well," said the world number three. "Jo-Wilfried has shown in the past that he can beat me. Whether on hard court, clay or grass, he is always dangerous. It's a tough draw for the second round," Federer said.

Halle Open: 'Nothing to lose,' says Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ahead of Roger Federer clash

Roger Federer began his preparations for next month's Wimbledon Championships with a 7-6(1), 6-3 victory over unseeded Australian John Millman in the opening round of the Halle Open on Tuesday.

Competing in his first match since being beaten by eventual <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-rafael-nadal-beats-roger-federer-to-reach-12th-final-225296&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQhpOK5vTiAhURSX0KHQ0XCE0QFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Vz7WRMc4liNlyRmQXyo_B">champion Rafael Nadal</a> in the French Open semi-finals, the Swiss proved too strong for Millman in the grasscourt tournament.

World number 57 Millman, who had beaten Federer in four sets in their previous encounter at last year's US&nbsp;Open, put up a strong fight in the opening set but was no match for his opponent at the contest wore on.

Up next for the 20-times Grand Slam champion is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who has won the last two matches of their 17 career meetings.

Earlier, world number 14 Borna Coric began his title defence with a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory over Spain's Jaume Munar to move into the second round where he will face Joao Sousa.

David Goffin fired nine aces and won 86% of points on his first serve in a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 win over Argentine Guido Pella in 50 minutes. Up next for the Belgian is Radu Albot.

Wildcard Tsonga defeated fellow Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-4, 7-5 but not before the duo delighted the crowd with an impromptu game of foot tennis&nbsp;in the second set after Paire's racket slipped from his hand following a serve.

Seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut overcame Taylor Fritz 7-6(10), 6-0 while local hope Jan-Lennard Struff got past Laslo Djere 6-4, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Karen Khachanov.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/halle-open-alexander-zverev-cruises-into-second-round-gael-monfils-ousted-228212&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiKhOuz5fTiAhVLWysKHWHECKUQFjAAegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw223-icc8fWuI1BPdn2ZJnQ">The Halle Open</a> is a warm-up tournament for Wimbledon which begins on July 1.

Roger Federer began his preparations for next month's Wimbledon Championships with a 7-6(1), 6-3 victory over unseeded Australian John Millman in the opening round of the Halle Open on Tuesday.

Roger Federer began his preparations for next month's Wimbledon Championships with a 7-6(1), 6-3 victory over unseeded Australian John Millman in the opening round of the Halle Open on Tuesday. Competing in his first match since being beaten by eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-finals, the Swiss proved too strong for Millman in the grasscourt tournament. World number 57 Millman, who had beaten Federer in four sets in their previous encounter at last year's US Open, put up a strong fight in the opening set but was no match for his opponent at the contest wore on. Up next for the 20-times Grand Slam champion is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who has won the last two matches of their 17 career meetings. Earlier, world number 14 Borna Coric began his title defence with a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory over Spain's Jaume Munar to move into the second round where he will face Joao Sousa. David Goffin fired nine aces and won 86% of points on his first serve in a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 win over Argentine Guido Pella in 50 minutes. Up next for the Belgian is Radu Albot. Wildcard Tsonga defeated fellow Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-4, 7-5 but not before the duo delighted the crowd with an impromptu game of foot tennis in the second set after Paire's racket slipped from his hand following a serve. Seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut overcame Taylor Fritz 7-6(10), 6-0 while local hope Jan-Lennard Struff got past Laslo Djere 6-4, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Karen Khachanov. The Halle Open is a warm-up tournament for Wimbledon which begins on July 1.

Halle Open: Roger Federer begins grasscourt season with win over John Millman

Frenchman Benoit Paire was surprised by how fit he felt as he advanced for the first time into the fourth round of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-incredible-fantastic-feels-rafael-nadal-after-demolishing-goffin-sweeps-into-fourth-round-223315">French Open</a> on Friday.

Paire went through after Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta retired at the start of the fourth set when trailing 2-1, and now faces seventh-seed Kei Nishikori of Japan who was forced to dig deep to pull through his third-round game against Serb Laslo Dere in five sets.

"I'm the first one to be surprised because honestly, I can't say I did work that hard, but I feel good. I feel fit. And I want to surf that wave," Paire told a post-match news conference.

"After the (second round) match against Pierre-Hugues (Herbert), I didn't know what state I was going to be in. The next day I already felt okay. Physically I wasn't too tired so I was rather satisfied," Paire said.

The bearded 30-year-old has a propensity to blow hot and cold but arrived in Paris on the back of a hot streak in Lyon where he claimed his second clay-court title of the season.

Paire said he was hungry for a win against Nishikori, having lost their most recent encounters, including a second-round clash at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-roger-federer-wins-his-400th-grand-slam-match-blazes-into-fourth-round-223311">Roland Garros</a> last year.

"Every time I feel he starts strongly and then our level balances, and I lose in the end," the world number 38 said.

Paire's compatriot and wildcard Nicolas Mahut on Friday failed in his bid to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time, crashing out in four sets against Argentina's Leonardo Mayer, who won 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4, 7-6(3).

Still, Paire is not alone in shouldering the weight of home expectations. Gael Monfils, seeded 14, goes head-to-head against another Frenchmen, wildcard Antoine Hoang, in their third-round tie.

France's women players suffered a torrid tournament, with none making it to the third round, something that has only happened twice previously in the professional era, in 1981 and 1986.

Frenchman Benoit Paire was surprised by how fit he felt as he advanced for the first time into the fourth round of the French Open on Friday. Paire went through after Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta retired at the start of the fourth set when trailing 2-1, and now faces seventh-seed Kei Nishikori of Japan who was forced to dig deep to pull through his third-round game against Serb Laslo Dere in five sets.

Frenchman Benoit Paire was surprised by how fit he felt as he advanced for the first time into the fourth round of the French Open on Friday. Paire went through after Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta retired at the start of the fourth set when trailing 2-1, and now faces seventh-seed Kei Nishikori of Japan who was forced to dig deep to pull through his third-round game against Serb Laslo Dere in five sets. "I'm the first one to be surprised because honestly, I can't say I did work that hard, but I feel good. I feel fit. And I want to surf that wave," Paire told a post-match news conference. "After the (second round) match against Pierre-Hugues (Herbert), I didn't know what state I was going to be in. The next day I already felt okay. Physically I wasn't too tired so I was rather satisfied," Paire said. The bearded 30-year-old has a propensity to blow hot and cold but arrived in Paris on the back of a hot streak in Lyon where he claimed his second clay-court title of the season. Paire said he was hungry for a win against Nishikori, having lost their most recent encounters, including a second-round clash at Roland Garros last year. "Every time I feel he starts strongly and then our level balances, and I lose in the end," the world number 38 said. Paire's compatriot and wildcard Nicolas Mahut on Friday failed in his bid to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time, crashing out in four sets against Argentina's Leonardo Mayer, who won 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4, 7-6(3). Still, Paire is not alone in shouldering the weight of home expectations. Gael Monfils, seeded 14, goes head-to-head against another Frenchmen, wildcard Antoine Hoang, in their third-round tie. France's women players suffered a torrid tournament, with none making it to the third round, something that has only happened twice previously in the professional era, in 1981 and 1986.

French Open: France's Benoit Paire surprised by his own fitness as he enters last 16

Grigor Dimitrov bt Jared Donaldson 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

Fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov clinched a marathon 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 victory over American Jared Donaldson to book a last-32 spot at Roland Garros on Wednesday.

The Bulgarian was pushed all the way by world number 57 Donaldson in a match that lasted four hours and 19 minutes, but grabbed the crucial break in the 17th game of the deciding set as his opponent started to struggle with cramp.

Dimitrov will face dangerous Spaniard Fernando Verdasco next as he looks to reach the fourth round in Paris for the first time.

Alexander Zverev bt Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2

Alexander Zverev staged a fightback to win a five-setter with Dusan Lajovic.

German world number three Zverev found himself in deep trouble when trailing by two sets to one against Lajovic, but the Serbian ran out of gas as it finished 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

The 21-year-old, a winner of three Masters titles, is yet to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final and was knocked out in the first round at Roland Garros last year.

But Zverev moved into round three for the second time, where he will play Bosnian 26th seed Damir Dzumhur, as he looks to become the first German man to win the title since 1937.

Kei Nishikori bt Benoit Paire 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3

Japan's Kei Nishikori also staged a comeback to edge out Frenchman Benoit Paire on Philippe Chatrier court, winning 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in his first Grand Slam event since Wimbledon last year after recovering from a wrist injury.

Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Zverev, Kei Nishikori have entered the third round at French Open on Wednesday

Grigor Dimitrov bt Jared Donaldson 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 Fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov clinched a marathon 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 victory over American Jared Donaldson to book a last-32 spot at Roland Garros on Wednesday. The Bulgarian was pushed all the way by world number 57 Donaldson in a match that lasted four hours and 19 minutes, but grabbed the crucial break in the 17th game of the deciding set as his opponent started to struggle with cramp. Dimitrov will face dangerous Spaniard Fernando Verdasco next as he looks to reach the fourth round in Paris for the first time. Alexander Zverev bt Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 Alexander Zverev staged a fightback to win a five-setter with Dusan Lajovic. German world number three Zverev found himself in deep trouble when trailing by two sets to one against Lajovic, but the Serbian ran out of gas as it finished 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. The 21-year-old, a winner of three Masters titles, is yet to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final and was knocked out in the first round at Roland Garros last year. But Zverev moved into round three for the second time, where he will play Bosnian 26th seed Damir Dzumhur, as he looks to become the first German man to win the title since 1937. Kei Nishikori bt Benoit Paire 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 Japan's Kei Nishikori also staged a comeback to edge out Frenchman Benoit Paire on Philippe Chatrier court, winning 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in his first Grand Slam event since Wimbledon last year after recovering from a wrist injury.

Dimitrov, Zverev, Nishikori reach round 3rd at Roland-Garros

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