Alcaraz plays Nishikori in Roland Garros opener

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his French Open title defence against Japan’s Kei Nishikori as Iga Swiatek faces a difficult route to a fourth successive Roland Garros title after a year-long trophy drought. Jannik Sinner takes on home hope Arthur Rinderknech in the world No 1’s first Grand Slam match since serving a three-month doping ban. […]

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his French Open title defence against Japan’s Kei Nishikori as Iga Swiatek faces a difficult route to a fourth successive Roland Garros title after a year-long trophy drought.

Jannik Sinner takes on home hope Arthur Rinderknech in the world No 1’s first Grand Slam match since serving a three-month doping ban.

• Angels at war as Queens battle Amazons in FedCup semi-finals
• Sokoto govt’s critic Hamdiyya disappears hours before court appearance, found in Zamfara

Alcaraz and Sinner have combined to win each of the last five men’s Grand Slam titles and are the two chief contenders again in Paris.

Novak Djokovic, who had not won a clay-court match this season before this week, starts his latest quest for a record-setting 25th major against American Mackenzie McDonald.