By India Today Sports Desk: Twelve months after sustaining a major ankle injury in the semi-finals, Alexander Zverev made a winning return to Roland Garros with a victory over Lloyd Harris in the French Open first round on Tuesday. Zverev earned a 7-6 (6) 7-6 (0) 6-1 first-round win over South African Harris.
After injuring his ankle in a thrilling last-four match against Rafael Nadal last season, the German was forced to retire and did not play again in 2022. Zverev, the third seed last year, is now seeded 22nd after trying to regain his best form since returning to the ATP Tour.
“I was obviously very disappointed with how that tournament ended for me (last year),” Zverev said.
“That’s why I think I appreciate even more when I play in a full stadium and the crowd is behind me. No (not happy with his performance). But I’m happy that I won in three sets. Normally I start with five-set matches so I’m happy to win in three.”
Zverev will face Slovakia’s Alex Molcan in the third round for the sixth consecutive year.
