French Open LIVE: Latest tennis scores and results after Rafael Nadal exit

Norrie, stuck on a sparsely-populated outside court on a cold and breezy Paris afternoon in a match delayed by rain, lost in five tight sets 4-6 6-3 3-6 7-6 (5) 6-2.

The 28-year-old, seeded 32, won five games in a row after trailing 4-1 to take the first set.

Twice Norrie led by a set but twice world number 56 Kotov hit back, taking the match to a decider in a tie-break.

The French Open continues with Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek the defending champions, after Rafael Nadal knocked out in the opening round of what was potentially the 14-time champion’s final appearance at Roland Garros.

Swiatek is the favourite to defend her title and make it three in a row in Paris, but the World No 1 will expected to face competition from Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

Djokovic won his third French Open title last year but has yet to win a tournament in 2024 following his split from coach Goran Ivanisevic. Contenders Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been sidelined by injury in recent weeks, however.

The prolonged closing chapter of greats, particularly in an arena as inconsistent and undependable as professional sport, is a true tribulation of the mind. It’s like the blowing of a long-standing bulb: you flick the switch – more than once, as many as thrice – in a subconscious instruction to your brain that it cannot be time to recycle and replace. But sometimes there can be no denying the undeniable, no matter how unpalatable. Power is not possible any more.

Yet over the past two decades, nothing has been as consistent and dependable as Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. Eighteen appearances, 14 titles, one king of clay. Domination unparalleled not just in tennis but in the history of sport. His legacy is indisputable, illustrated best by his silver statue on the east side of the complex. Yet ultimately, nobody fools Father Time.

And so it came to pass that, after 116 matches, Nadal lost in week one at the French Open for the first time. Handed the toughest first-round draw possible – against the tour’s most in-form, injury-free player – Alexander Zverev packed a punch to brutally dismiss any notion of a glorious swansong, triumphing 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Novak Djokovic takes to court for the opening round of the 2024 French Open, a day after great rival Rafael Nadal was knocked out in the first round.

The Serb, who has won three times at Roland Garros, faces French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, with Casper Ruud, Dan Evans and Alex De Minaur also in action in the men’s singles.

Meanwhile, women’s world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka also gets her campaign underway and British No 1 Katie Boulter is third up on Court 14 against Paula Badosa of Spain.