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Alexei Popyrin has given Australia a winning start at Roland Garros, beating French talent Ugo Humbert in four sets on the opening day in Paris.

Wildcard Alexei Popyrin has fought from a set down to oust local hope Ugo Humbert and launch Australia's French Open charge in fighting fashion.

The 19-year-old, who won the junior crown on his last visit to Paris two years ago, defied a vocal home crowd in an impressive 3-6 6-3 7-6 (12-10) 6-3 victory.

The world No.109 is the only Australian in action on the opening day at Roland Garros, with women's eighth seed Ashleigh Barty and men's 21st seed Alex de Minaur both scheduled for Monday starts.

The Sydney teenager will play either 31st seed Laslo Djere or Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the second round.

The first Australian to win the French junior crown since Phil Dent in 1968, Popyrin burst onto the scene with an exciting run to the Australian Open third round earlier this year.

A fan of the Paris clay, Popyrin's victory will likely push him within reach of the world's top 100 and with that direct entry into all four majors.

It looked a far-flung prospect early though as lanky left-hander Humbert unfurled his forehand to great effect in a 26-minute first set.

But, after literally slipping over in being broken in the first set, Popyrin found his feet to slowly turn the tide.

He found success when he started to move Humbert around the court, quickly pegging back a set and then holding his nerve in a tense third-set tie-break, sealing it with one of his 12 aces.

The Australian applied constant pressure to the 20-year-old's serve in the fourth set, eventually breaking for a 3-1 lead.

He remained composed while Humbert called for the trainer, relying again on his serve to stave off three break points to seal the contest in two hours and 52 minutes.