Djokovic’s win emphatic
TENNIS
PARIS: Top seed Novak Djokovic said he was ‘‘physically, mentally, emotionally’’ ready to land a second French Open title after beginning his quest in emphatic fashion yesterday.
In his first grand slam match since being disqualified from the US Open for inadvertently hitting a line judge with a ball, Djokovic was supreme in a 60, 62, 63 firstround demolition of young Swede Mikael Ymer.
Some had suggested the Serbian world No 1 might suffer a reaction to his New York humiliation but he won the Rome title in the buildup to Paris and yesterday extended his season record to 321.
His only ‘‘loss’’ was the default against Pablo Carreno Busta in US Open fourth round.
While 12time champion Rafa Nadal remains the slight favourite, the damp and heavy conditions with a lowerbouncing ball appear to be tailormade for Djokovic’s precision style.
‘‘I actually enjoyed myself on the court today. I think I played really well,’’ Djokovic, who was on his best behaviour throughout, told reporters.
‘‘A few hiccups here and there, but I think generally the game is there.
‘‘I’m ready physically, mentally, emotionally to go deep in the tournament.
‘‘Hopefully I can have another successful year here in Paris. I am definitely very confident.’’
After his New York trauma Djokovic’s opening test in Paris was as stressfree as it gets and at times it looked as though he was playing an exhibition match, teasing Ymer with dropshots and lobs before pummelling exquisite baseline winners.
The lack of spectators did not take the pressure off the French men at their home grand slam as none of those playing yesterday advanced to the second round at Roland Garros.
Ugo Humbert, Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon, Quentin Halys, Harold Mayot and Gregoire Barrere all exited, leaving only four compatriots in the main draw, just the second time so few French men have got that far since tennis turned professional in 1968.
Since only four French men survived the first round 20 years ago, at least six have got to the second round at Roland Garros.
This year 18 French men started the tournament.
There is a maximum of just 1000 spectators a day — way below the usual figure of 40,000 — leaving the local favourites free of the crowd pressures.
But that did not help.
Only Benoit Paire, qualifier Benjamin Bonzi, wildcard Hugo Gaston and PierreHugues Herbert will be fighting for a place in the third round.
Bonzi faces NextGen ATP
Finals champion Jannik Sinner of Italy while Herbert plays US Open runnerup Alexander Zverev.
France’s best chance, eighthseeded Gael Monfils, was sent packing on Tuesday by Kazakh Alexander Bublik, saying he would take some time for himself and see when he would compete again.
Yesterday, a lacklustre Gasquet suffered a straightsets defeat by 10th seed Roberto Bautista Agut, while 38thranked Humbert never found his range against South African Marc Polmans, the world No 122.
Teenage Danish qualifier Clara Tauson caused a shock as she saved two match points to beat American 21st seed Jennifer Brady 64, 36, 97 in the opening round yesterday.
The powerful 17yearold, making her main draw debut in grand slams with a ranking of 188, played fearless tennis to edge out the recent US Open semifinalist.
She was on the brink of defeat at 56 in the decider when she saved two match points, then squandered three of her own when serving at 76, the last one when her attempted drop shot hit the tape and fell agonisingly back on her side.
But the thirdyoungest player in the draw behind Coco Gauff and wildcard Elsa Jacquemot refused to buckle and broke Brady again before clinching victory on her fifth match point.
Comparisons with former world No 1 and fellow Dane Caroline Wozniacki are understandable, although Copenhagen native Tauson plays a more aggressive style of game, as she demonstrated with 48 winners to Brady’s 39.
She will face another American next in the shape of Danielle Collins. — Reuters