French Open day two: Rafael Nadal makes early exit but Iga Swiatek progresses

Nadal, the King of Clay, was beaten in the first round by Alexander Zverev.

Published May 27

Last updated May 27

Rafael Nadal said au revoir to Roland Garros after losing his first-round match to Alexander Zverev.

The King of Clay may have bowed out but the Queen of Clay is still in power, with Iga Swiatek through to round two as she bids for a third straight title and a fourth in five years.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at day two at the French Open.

Picture of the day

France Tennis French Open — Iga Swiatek (bottom row fourth from left), Carlos Alcaraz (top row third from left) and Novak Djokovic (standing right in blue sweater and white cap) were all in attendance to watch Rafael Nadal’s farewell (Jean-Francois Badias/AP)

Still got it!

Quote of the day

Match of the day

Away from Nadal there were comfortable wins for Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur. But there was a tense first-round encounter between two former top three players, with Elina Svitolina coming from behind to beat Karolína Plískova.

Brit watch

Another bad day as Cameron Norrie’s five-set demise to Russian Pavel Kotov was quickly followed by a straight-sets defeat for Harriet Dart against Linda Noskova. It leaves only two Brits standing in singles, Dan Evans and Katie Boulter.

Fallen seeds

Women: Maria Sakkari (6), Ekatarina Alexandrova (16).
Men: Cameron Norrie (32).

Who’s up next?

Novak Djokovic begins his title defence in the night session against French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Brits Evans and Boulter are in action late in the afternoon against Holger Rune and Paula Badosa respectively.