Novak Djokovic didn’t fairly showcase his common invincibility within the first spherical of the French Open on Tuesday night time.
His 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-4 overcome Pierre-Hugues Herbert could not have been adequate to vary the defending champion’s “low expectations” for this event.
Djokovic has confronted a tougher season than common, and whereas there have been glimpses of enchancment throughout the match at Court Philippe Chatrier, he nonetheless has room to develop as he strives to turn out to be the primary participant in tennis historical past to safe 25 Grand Slam singles titles.
A 3-time Roland Garros champion, Djokovic should attain the ultimate to keep up his No. 1 rating. However, he arrived in Paris with out reaching the ultimate at any occasion this yr. With a 0-3 document in semifinals, together with a current loss on the Geneva Open on pink clay, this 2 1/2-hour victory solely marginally improves his total document to 15-6.
So when he spoke at a news convention on Sunday, Djokovic described his mindset heading into the French Open this manner: “Low expectations and high hopes.” Then he identified, “Anything but a title, for me, is not satisfactory,” which is comprehensible given his outstanding resume.
Perhaps that is why Djokovic appeared a bit edgy at moments in opposition to Herbert, a 33-year-old Frenchman who owns a profession Grand Slam in doubles however by no means has been previous the third spherical at any main in singles and is at the moment ranked 142nd.
The house crowd tried to push Herbert, repeatedly calling out his title, even imploring him in English at one level by chanting, “Let’s go, Pierre-Hugues! Let’s go!” They jeered Djokovic late within the third set when he went to the sideline to towel after he slipped, stumbled, and tumbled onto the clay chasing a ball.
A day after sitting within the Chatrier stands to observe rival Rafael Nadal’s first-round loss in opposition to Alexander Zverev, Djokovic was competing within the chill of a 60-degree night (15 Celsius), and he didn’t at all times look blissful. He rolled his head again after one miss whereas making 4 groundstroke errors to get damaged early within the second set. He repeatedly gestured to the ball youngsters to go forward and provides him the balls already so he may put together to serve.
Although Herbert’s sport didn’t demand a most expenditure of power from Djokovic, there definitely was sufficient to maintain issues fascinating. And by the tip, the winner totals had been 37 for Herbert, 29 for Djokovic.
There had been some strokes of brilliance from Djokovic, to make certain, and he coated the courtroom effectively when sprinting after the drop pictures Herbert stored attempting. The spotlight for Djokovic was most likely the closed-stance sliding backhand winner that earned him a match level – which was transformed when Herbert double-faulted to finish it.
Still, the statistic that actually mattered was the one which exhibits Djokovic is now 69-0 in opening matches at Slam occasions since beginning his profession with a 3-2 mark in first-rounders.
Djokovic’s second-round opponent shall be 63rd-ranked Roberto Carballés Baena of Spain.
The first spherical closed on a day throughout which rain delayed play for a number of hours early within the day on all however the two principal courts, that are outfitted with retractable roofs.
Other winners Tuesday included the person Djokovic beat in final yr’s French Open closing, Casper Ruud, and previous main champions Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
Ruud, who additionally was the runner-up to Nadal in Paris in 2022 and leads the ATP with 36 wins in 2024, beat Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
Two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka overpowered Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2, and 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina beat Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3.
Sabalenka is attempting to turn out to be the primary girl since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the Australian Open and Roland Garros in the identical season and get midway to a calendar-year Grand Slam.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
