Djokovic and Sabalenka ease through
on rain-hit day at French Open
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[May 29, 2024]
By Shrivathsa Sridhar
PARIS (Reuters) - Rain put a dampener on the third day of the French
Open but defending champion Novak Djokovic avoided getting bogged
down as his quest for a professional era record-extending 25th Grand
Slam title got off to a solid enough start on Tuesday.
It was business-like rather than spectacular for Djokovic in the
late match on Court Philippe Chatrier but earlier Casper Ruud and
Aryna Sabalenka provided some bright spots on a grey Parisian day
with impressive first-round wins.
Denmark's 13th seed Holger Rune also brought his usual flair to
court as he saw off Britain's Dan Evans in straight sets while
French favorite Alize Cornet waved goodbye as she was well beaten by
seventh seed Zheng Qinwen in what was the final match of her long
career.
The day took a long while to come to life though as spectators, many
wearing winter jackets, were starved of action throughout the day on
the outside courts, while players kicked their heels in the locker
rooms.
No play was possible until 4pm, other than under the retractable
roofs of Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen, although some of the
backlog was cleared later on.
Top seed Djokovic took to court in the evening to face Frenchman
Pierre-Hugues Herbert with doubts about his form after a
disappointing season in which he has not reached a final.
There were still some blemishes in his game including a dip in the
second set but Djokovic also produced some scintillating tennis at
times to win 6-4 7-6(3) 6-4.
"It's a straight-set win. In the moments when it mattered I think I
delivered, played a great tiebreak, stayed focused," Serbian
Djokovic, who took his first-round record at Roland Garros to 20-0,
told reporters.
"I'm glad that I started the way I started, the way I felt on the
court. Comparing to the previous weeks of tournaments I played, I
felt good. So I'm moving in a positive direction."
Two-times runner-up Ruud swept aside Brazilian qualifier Felipe
Alves 6-3 6-4 6-3 in a renewed bid for a maiden Grand Slam title in
Paris after disappointments in the previous two years.
High on confidence following his Geneva title, the world number
seven produced a masterclass in serving as he raced past his
unheralded opponent in under two hours.
"This is one of the biggest tournaments for me and everyone every
year. One of my highlights. I'm always looking forward to it. The
last two years have given me so much here," Ruud said.
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Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2024
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during the first round match
against Russia's Erika Andreeva REUTERS/Yves Herman
"I hope I can make it another good year."
World number two Sabalenka, who is eyeing a second major of the
season after her successful Australian Open defense in January,
mowed down Russian teenager Erika Andreeva in 68 minutes 6-1 6-2.
Fourth seed Elena Rybakina overcame an early wobble to glide past
Belgian Greet Minnen 6-2 6-3 earlier in the day, showing no signs of
the illness that had hampered her preparations for the year's second
major.
The third straight rain-hit day of the tournament began with a big
outpouring of love for Cornet, as one of the ever-present players at
Grand Slams in the last two decades bid adieu.
The holder of the professional era women's record for consecutive
Grand Slam main draw appearances with 69, Cornet had previously said
she would retire after the tournament.
"My feeling is that I have done my duty, I went till the end of the
adventure, and that was important for me," Cornet said.
Australian Alex De Minaur thumped Alex Michelsen, Petra Martic
overcame Kristina Mladenovic and Dutch player Arantxa Rus stunned
three-times Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber once play got going
on the outside courts.
Danish shot-maker Rune's victory over Dan Evans meant Katie Boulter
walked on court later knowing that she was Britain's last hope of
having a singles player in round two. But the 26th seed went down
4-6 7-5 6-4 to Spain's Paula Badosa. (This story has been refiled to
clarify the professional era record-extending in paragraph 1)
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris' additional reporting by
Martyn Herman in London, Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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