Novak Djokovic sees off Aleksandar Kovacevic to reach French Open second round

PARIS – Novak Djokovic launched his quest for a record-breaking 23rd men’s Grand Slam singles title with a no-nonsense 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) first-round victory over debutant Aleksandar Kovacevic at the French Open on Monday.

The twice Roland Garros champion breezed through the first two sets before encountering resistance from the 24-year-old American, whose lack of experience then showed in the tiebreak on the world’s biggest clay court.

Djokovic ended the contest with a sizzling service return on his first match point and will face Hungarian journeyman Marton Fucsovics for a place in the third round.

“It’s always a pleasure to come back here, one of the best tournaments in the world,” said Djokovic, who made his Roland Garros debut in 2005. “I’m very motivated to go far here, all the way I hope.”

Djokovic did not have an ideal build-up to the clay-court Grand Slam, missing the Madrid Masters and being eliminated in the last eight in Rome, but he looked in good form in the windy conditions.

In the women’s draw, Sloane Stephens relished every moment she spent on her favourite court in the world as she cruised to a 6-0, 6-4 first-round victory over former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova on Monday to put down an early marker.

The 30-year-old, runner-up in Paris in 2018, gave erratic Pliskova no chance on the main Philippe Chatrier court, speeding through the first set in 49 minutes before her rival recovered in the second.

But the Czech’s unforced errors – 31 in total – as well as half a dozen double faults, gave Stephens, ranked as high as third in the world previously, the chance to race back from 4-3 down to seal victory.

“This is my favourite court in the world and I am super happy to be back,” said Stephens, currently ranked 30th.

The American, who won her only Grand Slam at the 2017 US Open, was also a quarter-finalist in Paris in 2022 despite struggling for form. Stephens came into the tournament with improving form on clay after winning her first WTA 125 event in France and reaching the semi-finals in Morocco last week.

“To start like that on your favourite court and favourite surface is great. I wanted to get matches under my belt this year (before the tournament) and I was feeling confident,” she said.

Meanwhile, world No. 3 Jessica Pegula is not yet a part of the burgeoning Big Three rivalry on the women’s tour but the American said Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina had earned the right to receive such recognition.

World No. 1 Swiatek, second-ranked Sabalenka and No. 4 Rybakina have won seven tournaments between them in 2023.

Swiatek has claimed three Major titles, including two French Opens, and Sabalenka won her maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January. Rybakina

triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022

and the three-way rivalry will continue at Roland Garros with the world No. 1 spot up for grabs.

“They’ve earned that right. They’ve been playing really solid tennis. Iga, we already know from last year.

“Aryna I felt like broke through in Australia as far as like winning a Slam, but her results have always been up there. Then Elena at the end of last year as well,” Pegula said.

“I mean, to see them being so consistent, they’ve earned that right. Obviously ranking-wise I’m still three, but I’m sure that could change. I could go up or down, whatever. It depends on results.”

Asked about how she feels about being left out of the conversation about the Big Three, Pegula added: “Hopefully, I can be part of that, but either way, it’s still great for women’s tennis. Especially because everyone always talks about the inconsistency and all this stuff.

“I just tend to think it’s because we have a lot of really great depth. It’s nice to see them playing really, really good tennis and I feel like it’s good for the sport as well.” REUTERS