Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev LIVE stream: French Open latest score and updates from blockbuster first-round clash

Zverev drops his first point on serve in a while after pushing a forehand long. But the 27-year-old then responds with his first ace of the match and a monster of a forehand winner down the line that was past Nadal before he had blinked.

It’s replies that like that suck the life out of the crowd.

A first shout of ‘vamos’ from the Spaniard, as he moves to 40-0 on serve. Zverev missed an overhead on 15-0, but Nadal takes the game with his best point of the match so far! He threw himself behind the forehand down the line, before moving in to put away the angled volley!

Fist pump from Nadal – that was vintage!

The German picks up where he left off with a series of huge, heavy blows. It’s hard to see Nadal so subdued but he’s spent the majority of the match on the run. Zverev takes the opening hold and has won 15 of his last 16 service points.

He must hold and stay level in this second.

Zverev’s terrific pass at deuce was not only applauded by Nadal after the shot, but also before his first serve – it’s as if he knew the set was up.

54 minutes gone and the fourth seed is ahead against the 14-time champion. Nadal heads to the bathroom with plenty to ponder.

Kieran Jackson at Roland Garros

Nadal 3-6 Zverev* – Zverev wins the first set

Nadal was only delaying the inevitable. Zverev breaks to win the opening set 6-3, as Zverev races to the net to put away the slide volley and then Nadal slumps a forehand into the net.

An impressive opening set from the German fourth seed, who has subdued the Philippe-Chatrier with a dominant performance so far.

There have been flashes from Nadal, but Zverev is looking too quick, too strong for the 37-year-old, who makes his way off the court for an end-of-set break.

*Nadal 3-5 Zverev – Nadal saves set points

Zverev goes on the attack in the ninth game of the opening set, working his way into a couple of set points against the great Spaniard’s serve. Nadal is able to hold on, though, forcing Zverev into a couple of misses from the baseline with good defence. He can’t get the hold, though.

Nadal is finding himself too deep, too often to have any impact on the Zverev service game. Apart from one wobble, at 1-2, the German has served brilliantly. He moves a game away from the opener. Nadal won’t be giving up on this, though.

A big fist pump from Nadal as he gets another hold of serve, after some more encouraging signs that he is able to match Zverev from the baseline when he can get his first serve in play.

That’s a big celebration, though. There’s the intesity, there’s the fire! Nadal needs it against this opponent, with Zverev in the mood.

Yep, that follows the rhythm of the opening set so far. Zverev is hitting his groundstrokes much heavier than Nadal so far, which, when added to his serve, is allowing the German to control the court. He rattles out a hold to love and has now won eight points in a row on serve.

A super game from Nadal with a trademark forehand winner followed by an aggressive serve and volley play. He holds to love. The challenge now will be how to play like that against the Zverev serve and power game from the baseline, which is directing the early exchanges so far.