Djokovic, Nadal into third round
PARIS: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal completed straightforward second round wins at Roland Garros yesterday, although Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverez were forced to dig deep.
World No 1 Djokovic completed a solid 62, 63, 76(4) victory over Slovakia's Alex Molcan to keep his title defence and quest for a recordequalling 21st Grand Slam on track.
With Djokovic unable to defend his Australian Open title due to his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid19, Spaniard Rafa Nadal broke a threeway tie for the most Grand Slam titles with the Serb and Roger Federer by winning the Melbourne Park major at the start of the year.
Yet a successful rerun of his 2021 Roland Garros campaign, when he beat 13time French Open winner Nadal in the semifinals, will lift Djokovic alongside his great rival.
The top seed will next meet Slovenia's former world No 43 Aljaz Bedene for a place in the fourth round.
Nadal produced an imperious show to secure his 300th Grand Slam match victory, dismantling local hope Corentin Moutet 63, 61, 64 to book his spot in the third round.
The Spaniard, who turns 36 next week, will next meet Dutch 26th seed Botic van de Zandschulp with a potential quarterfinal looming against Djokovic.
Alcaraz and Zverev saved match points to fight back from the brink and reach the next round.
Spanish teenager Alcaraz won a rollercoaster match against compatriot Albert RamosVinolas 61, 67 (79), 57, 76 (72), 64.
That came after German third seed Zverev sealed a 26, 46, 61, 62, 75 win over Argentine Sebastian Baez.
Another obstacle in women's top seed Iga Swiatek's path to a second French Open title was removed as fourth seed Maria Sakkari was knocked out 76(5), 76(4) by Czech Karolina Muchova in the second round.
World No 1 and red hot favourite Swiatek and third seed Paula Badosa are the only two players from the top six left in the women's draw.
US Open champion Emma Raducanu was bundled out, losing 36, 61, 61 to inspired Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
■ New Zealanders have made a bright start to their doubles campaigns at the French Open.
Erin Routliffe, playing at Roland Garros for the first time (aside from in juniors), and partner Alicja Rosolska, of Poland, knocked out 16th seeds American Nicole MelicharMartinez and Australian Ellen Perez 62, 75.
Men's seventh seeds Michael Venus and German Tim Puetz beat Australian James Duckworth and Belarussian Ilya Ivashka 62, 64. — Reuters/RNZ