Neither player has enjoyed a straightforward service game so far, but I very much doubt either would have expected to such is the level these two are operating at.

Carlos Alcaraz forces his way to 30-30 to once again pile pressure on Jannik Sinner's serve. The world number one misses his first and Alcaraz takes full advantage, a drop shot helping him to a sixth break point.

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Nick Mullins
Tennis commentator on TNT Sport

Alarm bells have been ringing for both players on every service game so far, but both have managed to quieten that alarm.

Stunner! Carlos Alcaraz manages to recover after Jannik Sinner arrows a backhand down the line to send one back before getting over the line from 30-30. It travels like a bullet, absolutely no chance for Sinner.

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A couple of unforced errors by Carlos Alcaraz leaves the Spaniard in a tight spot at 0-30.

But on a hugely important third point, Jannik Sinner overhits a forehand to let Alcaraz off the hook, for now at least.

Jim Courier
Former world number one on TNT Sport

Sinner rolled the dice on that one, It was a very offensive second serve, really close to the line. He wanted to control his destiny and he's done it.

Already this is so, so good.

Jannik Sinner puts together his best run of points so far to take four in a row from double break points down and edge back in front at 2-1.

Three high-quality games and already we're 25 minutes in. This has the feeling of something a bit special.

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Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Both players are stood maybe three or four metres back behind the baseline, but they are both having to leave the ground on contact because the ball is kicking up so high off the clay.

That shows how much spin these guys are getting on the ball. They are both going so heavy with their hitting.

Jannik Sinner finds a couple of timely first serves to shut down Carlos Alcaraz's fourth and fifth break points.

Incredible composure under pressure by the world number one so far, but the danger still remains here.

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Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

This is exactly what we were hoping for in this rivalry.

Both players have lifted their game because of the respect they have for each other and each other's game.

They both know that second-best will not get it done today.

Carlos Alcaraz immediately sets about examining Jannik Sinner's so far inconsistent serve, getting stuck in to a rally and forcing a miss from Jannik Sinner after battering an overhead into the ground.

A backhand down the line tees Alcaraz up for a simple volley at the net, setting up two more break points!

Carlos Alcaraz also comes through a first test unscathed as the defending champion resets to dismiss Jannik Sinner's first opportunity and then escape to his first game of this final.

Two games down in 19 minutes. Get comfortable, folks!

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'Ooohs' and 'aahs' from the stands on Court Philippe Chatrier as the two players engage in their latest rally, during which Carlos Alcaraz races back to his baseline and sends back a 'tweener' shot on the run as this continues to excite in the early stages.

Alcaraz restores parity at 30-30 but, after missing three break points, he must now face one.

Nick Mullins
Tennis commentator on TNT Sport

How about that for a first examination?

Already another level, another universe. The presence and power at the other end from Alcaraz and Sinner struggled to find the answers.

Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Jannik Sinner has to do something different with his first serve because Carlos Alcaraz is reading it brilliantly well.

I would like to see the heavy kick start the point to put him off-balance because that's the one he seems to be struggling with a little bit on the backhand.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland Garros

Strap in for the long haul, folks.

The first game of the match lasts 12 minutes.

Might be wise to cancel your evening plans as well as your afternoon plans.

And I really hope nobody inside Court Philippe Chatrier has a flight or train booked for anytime before 10pm.

Huge relief for Jannik Sinner.

An opening hold is eventually clinched after 12 tense minutes. What an opening test that was, and a clear indication of the epic showdown to come.

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Jannik Sinner is keeping his composure. A third break point is shut down as he sends a backhand past Carlos Alcaraz at the net.

Already this feels like a massive game, 11 minutes in to the match and still at 0-0.

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Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland Garros

Jannik Sinner has rarely lost serve over the past fortnight.

So it is surprising to see him under pressure in the very first game of the match.

Sinner has only dropped serve three times on his way to the final - the least at Roland Garros since Rafa Nadal (once in 2012), according to the ATP statisticians.

Jannik Sinner has made just five of 12 first serves so far, but lands an important one here to rescue another break point in this tense opener.

With 10 minutes on the clock, Alcaraz forces another error at the end of a rally to set up break point number three.

Will this sustained pressure tell here?

Another game point comes and goes for Jannik Sinner, who is struggling to land his first serves in these early stages.

Can Carlos Alcaraz force another opportunity with a look at a second serve? He can!