Djokovic, Kvitova, Wozniacki advance, Warwinka out of French Open
NOVAK Djokovic advanced to the second round of the French Open yesterday with a straight set victory over Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva, 6/3; 6/4; 6/4, while Petra Kvitova prevailed over Veronica Cepede Royg from Uruguay, 3/6; 6/1; 7/5. However, Stan Warwinka, a former champion and 2017 finalist, lost a five-set three hours and 30 minutes grueling battle to Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-lopez 6/2; 3/6, 4/6; 7/6(5); while the second seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark advanced with a 7/6(2); 6/1 victory over American Danielle Collins ranked 42 in the world. It seemed like a routine day at work for Djokovic as he stepped on court against his opponent ranked 134 in the world. The Brazilian had played three grueling matches in the qualifiers, defeating Czech player Zdenek Kolar in straight sets 6/0; 6/4. In the first round match, however, Djokovic (winner of 12 Grand Slams), took the first set by six games to three. A determined effort by the tall 34-year-old Silva improved the score by one game in the second set. In the third set, Djokovic broke Silva’s serve in the fifth game held to extend the tally to 4-2. However, Silva held his next serve and broke Djokovik’s to win a very long eighth game for 4-all.
The ninth game stretched to deuce but Silva lost the first advantage point on his serve and the game. The good front runner, Djokovic served and reached 40-0, for three match points.
Silva saved one match point but Djokovic took the next point to end the match.
The eighth seeded Petra Kvitova from Bilovec Czech Republic lost the first set 3/6 to the 89th ranked player from Uruguay. However, she quickly retooled quickly and took the second set 6/1. The third set was a thriller in which the petite, 1.62 metre 26 year old lady from Asuncion fought gallantly to hold her serve. The experienced Kvitova secured a single break of serve to win the 7/5 for the set and match. Utilizing her height to advantage, Kvitova delivered six aces but registered five double faults while her opponent had one and jut two double faults. Petra also went for the lines and tallied 31 outright winners but made 35 unforced errors. At the end of the match Petra amassed 88 points to Veronica’s 79.
The surprise exit of defending champion, Jelena Ostapenko remains topical, way past the statute of limitation anchored on our human demarcation of time. A year ago the 19-year old Latvian hit hard unrelentingly to dispatch Simone Halep and deny the Romanian her maiden Grand Slam title.