French Open: Federer, Tsonga win, as big boys join fray

The French Open is underway in Paris and as usual, some seeded players have started biting the dust in the first round action on the red clay of Roland Garros. However, Simona Halep, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Stanislaus Wawrinka, Ana Ivanovic, Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori and Tomas Berdych were among the top seeds to navigate the first round successfully.

Australian sensation, Nicholas Kyrgios, who has never been past the second round in this competition, defeated Denis Istomin in straight sets, just as another young gun, Dominic Thiem, advanced to the second round, needing four sets to dispatch Aljaz Bedene.

The first day of the tournament was marred by a minor incidence, which has raised questions of players’ safety at major tournaments when a young fans ran onto the court and attempted to take a selfie with Roger Federer, who had just defeated Alejandro Falla in straight sets.

Following that incident, many players are now calling for stricter security measures as a similar incident happened a few years ago, when a fan ran onto the court and stabbed Monica Seles in the back. She never recovered from the attack and had to retire a few years later. They argue that this fan might have been harmless this time, but the next one might have a weapon.

Meanwhile, some of the big stars, including world number one, Novak Djokovic and nine-time defending champion, Rafael Nadal, will take to the court today. Serena and Venus Williams will also play their first round matches today.