Dimitrov sees off unexpected opponent Safwat

GRIGOR Dimitrov found himself facing an unexpected opponent but still got his French Open bid off to a solid start with a straight-sets win.

The fourth seed opened proceedings on Court Philippe Chatrier as he began his latest attempt to win a maiden grand slam.

After Viktor Troicki’s late withdrawal through injury, lucky loser Mohamed Safwat was only informed he was Dimitrov’s new opponent half an hour before the match was due to commence.

The world No 82 from Egypt looked out of his depth in the first set but eventually found his feet, although he could not stop Bulgarian Dimitrov running out a 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7/1) winner.

“I finished warming up at 9.30. Then at 10 they told me, ‘do you know the news?” said Safwat.

“I never saw the inside of that court before. It’s different to the courts outside.”

Second seed Alexander Zverev wasted little time joining Dimitrov in round two. The German, 21, breezed past Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania 6-1 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour.

Former semi-finalist Gael Monfils shrugged off a typically sluggish first set to triumph against fellow Frenchman Elliot Benchetrit 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-1.

Another home hope, 15th seed Lucas Pouille, beat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 6-2 6-3 6-4. Japan’s Kei Nishikori, seeded 19th, was also a straight-sets winner over Maxime Janvier of France.

Eight seed David Goffin survived a scare after finding himself two sets down to Dutchman Robin Haase.

However, the Belgian dropped just five more games as he turned the match around to win 4-6 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-0.