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Teen star dumps world No.5 out in Roland Garros boilover

Angelique Kerber gave it a crack on a sore ankle but just 75 minutes into the first day of Roland Garros, the reigning Wimbledon champion was knocked out of the tournament.

In her first match in three weeks, the German was beaten by 18-year-old Anastasia Potapova 6-4 6-2 as the updated Court Philippe-Chatrier made its official debut.

Kerber was well below her brilliant best and Potapova took the first set at the end of a break-heavy opener.

The fifth seed was then broken again in her first service game of the second set and she scarcely looked like recovering.

For the Russian teenager, who entered the event ranked 81st in the world, it was a first win over a top-10 player.

"I had a lot of confidence and I have to thank my coach for that," said Potapova, who hit 28 winners past her opponent.

Anastasia Potapova caused a boilover in the first match on centre court. Pic: Getty
Anastasia Potapova caused a boilover in the first match on centre court. Pic: Getty

She will face Wang Yafan or Marketa Vondrousova in the second round.

Kerber’s early exit provides her with much-needed rest time ahead of her Wimbledon title defence.

She had not played a match since May 6, having withdrawn from her second-round match at the Madrid Open following the ankle injury in practice.

"You know clay and me, you know the story," Kerber said in the lead-up to the match.

“Of course, it's not the best clay-court preparation. I think it's the worst I ever had and I was looking forward this year to the clay-court season."

Kerber, who has now lost in the French Open first round six times, only needs the Paris major to complete a career slam.

Meanwhile, 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza was an early victor after battling past American Taylor Townsend in three sets.

The 19th seed lost the first set but bounced back for a solid 5-7 6-2 6-2 win.

Petra Martic, the 31st seed, and Johanna Larsson breezed past Ons Jabeur and Magdalena Rybarikova respectively.

with agencies