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
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.