Novak Djokovic is competing at his 19th consecutive Roland Garros, seeking his third crown in the Parisian capital. Novak met Aleksandar Kovacevic in the opening round and scored a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 in two hours and 26 minutes triumph to start the title chase. World no. 3 scored his 342nd win at Majors and the 86th at Roland Garros on Court Philippe-Chatrier, hoping for more good runs in the rest of the event after losing ground in the previous three months. The Serb served well in the opening two sets and lost serve two times in the third, including while serving for the victory. His right arm felt better than in Monte Carlo, Banja Luka and Rome, and we should expect Novak’s A-game in Paris, as always at Majors. Aleksandar could not match that pace, struggling to find the first serve and offering Novak 12 break chances. The Serb seized five to control the scoreboard and sail over the top. Djokovic tamed his strokes nicely, firing 41 winners and 22 unforced errors to leave a lower-ranked player behind and reach the second round.
Novak served at 70% in the opener and did everything right. He dropped three points behind the initial shot and kept the pressure on the other side. Kovacevic made a promising start and held three times. However, Djokovic broke him in the fourth game to build a crucial advantage. Novak kicked off the action with two fine holds and earned a break chance in the fourth game. Aleksandar denied it and held to lock the result at 2-2 and remain on the positive side. Djokovic held at love in game five and broke Kovacevic in the next one with a forehand crosscourt winner. Novak produced another hold at love in game seven and wrapped up the opener with a forced error at 5-3 after 35 minutes. The Serb kept the same pace in set number two, dropping four points behind the initial shot and challenging the opponent to repeat those numbers to stay competitive. The American dropped almost half of the points in his games and lost serve two times to hand it to the Serb.
Novak Djokovic made a winning start at Roland Garros.
Kovacevic squandered game points at the start of the set and lost serve for an early setback. He fended off two break points at 0-2 to remain within one break deficit. Djokovic delivered his second break in game five with a backhand winner and clinched the set with a hold at 15 in game eight for two sets to love advantage after an hour and 17 minutes. Marching toward the top, Djokovic grabbed a break at love at the start of the third set. He saved three break points in the second game, his first of the match, holding from 40-0 down to open a 2-0 gap. Kovacevic worked hard in the third game, saving three break points and remaining within one break deficit. Novak played another loose service game and experienced a break in the sixth game when his forehand landed long. Djokovic stayed calm and claimed the next game after an extended rally and a backhand winner for another break and a 4-3 advantage.
The Serb held at love in game eight for 5-3, and the American served to stay in the match. Aleksandar held at 15 to prolong the encounter, forcing Novak to serve for the victory at 5-4. World no. 3 faced two break points after a backhand error. Djokovic netted a forehand on the first to bring the opponent back to 5-5. Both players served well in games 11 and 12 to introduce a tie break. Djokovic grabbed an early mini-break and forged a 3-0 advantage with a service winner. The Serb fired a forehand down the line winner for 4-1 and landed another winner in the next one to increase the advantage. Djokovic fired a forehand return winner at 6-1 to emerge at the top and seal the deal.
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