Djokovic primed for deep follow powerful start
Top seed Novak Djokovic said he was 'physically, mentally, emotionally' prepared to land another French Open title after beginning his quest in emphatic fashion on Tuesday.
In his first Grand Slam match since being disqualified from the united states Open this month for inadvertently hitting a line judge with a ball, Djokovic was supreme in a 6-0 6-2 6-3 first-round demolition of young Swede Mikael Ymer.
Some had suggested the Serbian world number 1 might suffer a a reaction to his NY humiliation but he won the Rome title in the build-up to Paris and on Tuesday extended his season record to 32-1. His only 'loss' was the default against Pablo Carreno Busta in U.S. Open fourth round.
While 12-time champion Rafa Nadal remains the slight favourite, the damp and heavy conditions with a lower-bouncing ball appear to be tailor-made for Djokovic's precision style.
"I actually enjoyed myself on the court today. I believe I played effectively," Djokovic, who was simply on his best behaviour throughout, told reporters. "A few hiccups occasionally, but I think generally the game is there.
"I'm ready physically, mentally, emotionally to go deep in the tournament. Hopefully I could have another successful year within Paris. I am definitely very confident."
After his NY trauma Djokovic's opening test in Paris was as stress-free since it gets and sometimes it looked as if he were playing an exhibition match, teasing Ymer with dropshots and lobs before pummelling exquisite baseline winners.
The first set was around in 20 minutes.
"I thought I started off very well," Djokovic, who beat Andy Murray to win his one French Open crown in 2016, said.
"Six love, that's the best possible way to get started on a Grand Slam. Looking to get off the blocks very strong.
"You could see there is pretty a few surprises in the first round. You understand, you have (Daniil) Medvedev out, some big players. It tells a whole lot about these conditions.
In other matches on the 3rd day, youngsters Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas also reached another round however the pair were forced to work hard because they both ground out five-set wins over their opponents.
Russian 13th seed Rublev returned from the brink to overcome Sam Querrey 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 7-5 6-4 6-3 while Tsitsipas were on his way to avoid it before switching gears to beat Spaniard Jaume Munar 4-6 2-6 6-1 6-4 6-4.
Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin was cruising in to the second round before a rain delay threw her off track, however the American regained her focus to see off big-hitting Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-4 3-6 6-3.
Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova managed to stem the flow of errors from her racket before beating Egyptian qualifier and Grand Slam debutant Mayar Sherif 6-7(9) 6-2 6-4.
Teenage Danish qualifier Clara Tauson saved two match points before stunning American 21st seed Jennifer Brady 6-4 3-6 9-7.
