Djoker dominates and Demon impresses

Novak Djokovic started his bid for a men’s record 23rd grand slam singles title with a straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic in the French Open first round.

Novak Djokovic plays a forehand against Aleksandar Kovacevic. Picture: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic started his bid for a men’s record 23rd grand slam singles title with a straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic in the French Open first round, as Carlos Alcaraz dazzled in his opening victory.

Two-time Roland Garros champion Djokovic held off a late rally from his American opponent to win 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-1).

Australian Alex de Minaur joined compatriots Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jason Kubler in the second round with a 6-1 5-7 6-1 6-3 win over Belarusian Ilya Ivashka. Djokovic has still not lost in his opening match of a major since the 2006 Australian Open.

“I want to dominate whoever I play against regardless of the circumstances and who is across the net, but sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” Djokovic said after kicking off his 19th consecutive French Open campaign.

Djokovic, 36, is seeded only third at Roland Garros this year despite the absence of his great rival and 14-time winner Rafael Nadal through injury.

He is behind world No.1 Alcaraz and ­Daniil Medvedev. He is tied with Nadal for most men’s grand slam singles titles and just one behind the 23 of Serena Williams. Margaret Court holds the all-time record of 24.

Alcaraz, 20, began his attempt to win a second grand slam title in fine style against Italian qualifier Flavio Cobolli, the world No.159 who was playing in a grand slam for the first time.

The Spaniard played some wonderful shots as he powered to a 6-0 6-2 7-5 win and is slated to meet Djokovic in the semi-finals.

He will next play Japan’s Taro Daniel. Alcaraz has had a fine clay-court season, winning the Madrid and Barcelona Opens.

In the women’s draw, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina won her first match at a slam since the 2022 Australian Open, beating last year’s semi-finalist Martina Trevisan 6-2 6-2.

The former world No.3 has recently returned to the tour following maternity leave. She had previously taken a break from the sport for health problems and mental exhaustion following Russia’s invasion of her country.

“These kind of moments, these little wins … on a level, which is very low, but these moments bring joy to people of Ukraine,” said Svitolina.

French fifth seed Caroline Garica gave the home fans something to cheer with a 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-4 win over Wang Xiyu.

Former runner-up Sloane Stephens defeated 16th seed Karolina Pliskova 6-0 6-4 and 2021 losing finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat Linda Fruhvirtova 6-2 6-2.

Agencies