Djokovic of Serbia plays against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in the first round of the French Open tennis tournament in Paris. Photo: Kyodo
Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3178880/french-open-novak-djokovic-feels-strong-title-defence-raducanu-tames Tennis
French Open: Novak Djokovic feels strong in title defence, Raducanu tames fellow teenager Noskova
- Novak Djokovic started the defence of his French Open title with an emphatic straight-sets defeat of Yoshihito Nishioka
- Rafael Nadal shrugged off his ongoing battle with injury after beginning his bid for a 14th Roland Garros title with a clinical straight-sets victory
Novak Djokovic defeated Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round of the French Open. Photo: EPA-EFE
Defending champion Novak Djokovic started his Roland Garros campaign the way he normally finishes it: by facing a lefty on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The 26-year-old Nishioka came out swinging from the very first point, targeting a confidence-boosting opening break and early advantage against Djokovic. But maintaining that high level against the defending champion was always going to be a challenge, and it took only a few games for the cracks to show in the Japanese’s game.
Once Djokovic, newly turned 35, shook off the cobwebs there was little the Japanese player could do to halt the world No 1 as he raced to a 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 win.
“He’s very quick, one of the quickest players on the tour, and the conditions were quite slow, the ball was not bouncing,” Djokovic said of his Japanese opponent.
“And it was just difficult to penetrate, and so the first set was very close. I cruised through the second and third really, when I started going through the ball a bit more. I have to be pleased overall.
“I always expect highs from myself, so I can always do better, but it was a very good start to the tournament.”
Rafael Nadal shrugged off his ongoing battle with injury after beginning his bid for a 14th Roland Garros title with a clinical straight-sets victory.
The Spaniard, seeded five this year, needed just two hours to move past Australian Jordan Thompson in straight sets on Monday.
He now faces fellow lefty Corentin Moutet in round two of Roland Garros.
“Of course the confidence is higher when you win in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, or Rome,” said the Spaniard on Monday.
Nadal also touched upon the ATP’s decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points for its ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
“At the end, I understand both sides,” he said. “I respect and I understand Wimbledon’s position, without a doubt, but on the other hand, I understand and I respect too that the ATP is protecting its members.”
Britain’s Emma Raducanu reacts after winning against Czech’s Linda Noskova at the end of their women’s singles match on day two of the Roland Garros. Photo: AFP
Emma Raducanu got the full Paris experience when she came back from a set and a break down to defeat last year’s junior champion Linda Noskova on a rowdy Court Simonne-Mathieu.
There was a rain delay, there were buoyant crowds, and plenty of drama as the reigning US Open champion enjoyed an eventful Roland Garros debut.
“The French crowd is definitely very honest, but it was fun to play in front of,” Raducanu said.