Once seen as a cop-out or a party trick, the drop shot has become a vital tactic in the men's and women's game.

In the first French Open since Rafael Nadal’s retirement, Carlos Alcaraz is a strong favorite to defend his title in Paris as Spanish great Carlos Moyá tells CNN Sports.

Alcaraz returned to action at the Rome Masters 1000 – the last huge event before Roland Garros – where he clinched his seventh career Masters 1000 after struggling in the early rounds. The 4-time Grand Slam champion has fully recovered from his injury and is ready to compete in Paris from Sunday 25 May.

Carlos Alcaraz claims the Italian Open over returning world number one Jannik Sinner, ending the local's perfect return to the sport from a doping ban with a 7-6 (5), 6-1 victory in Rome.

Not only is Carlos Alcaraz a four-time Grand Slam ... consecutive matches since losing to Holger Rune in the Madrid Open final. Alcaraz has been a loyal client of Victor Barber for a long time ...

Alcaraz and world No. 1 Sinner will be on opposite sides of the draw at Roland Garros, setting up a potential blockbuster final. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Punters seeking a live contender at a bigger price could opt for Alexander Zverev to win his first grand slam after losing three finals, including 12 months ago when he was the runner-up in Paris after reaching the previous three semi-finals at this event and he is a solid each-way prospect at 14/1 with Ladbrokes, Coral and Betfred.

Clearly hampered by a bad left knee, two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud dropped 13 of the last 14 games while losing 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0 to Nuno Borges in the second round. Carlos Alcaraz overcame a one-set blip to defeat Fábián Marozsán.