In this tournament in which the defending champion, Jannik Sinner, winner of the Australian Open on Sunday, is absent this year, Arthur Cazaux (N.83), one of the sensations of the Australian Grand Slam where he rose until the round of 16, authoritatively eliminated the German Maximilian Marterer (92nd) after a quick match.
The young 21-year-old from Montpellier left only crumbs for the outclassed German in two sets 6-1, 6-3. He will challenge Canadian Félix Auger-Alliassime, 30th player in the world and seeded No. 3 in the tournament, in the second round.
Richard Gasquet (130th), representing the older generation at 37, faced Pablo Llamas, a young 21-year-old Spaniard, 156th, who came out of qualifying in the evening.