Rafael Nadal will make his debut on Wednesday, either against his compatriot Roberto Bautista or against the American Tommy Paul.

Like the world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, the youngest in history at 19, who will play him against the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka.

His decision not to get a Covid-19 shot has cost Djokovic dearly in 2022, most recently the US summer tour and the US Open.

Thus sidelined from the competition for more than two months after his title at Wimbledon in July - his 21st in Grand Slam, one length from Nadal - the ex-world No.1 currently 7th is now on a series of ten matches won consecutively since returning to the circuit at the end of September.

Before coming to Paris, he won successively in Tel Aviv and Astana.

His last defeat (excluding Laver Cup) even dates back to May 31, in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros, against Nadal.

"The season has been very special, but for four, five months, I have found a balance on the court. I have found my game, found positive emotions, and I am very motivated," he recalls.

"Flashback"

Facing Cressy on Tuesday afternoon, an extremely rare server-volleyball player, Djokovic had to wait until the penultimate game of the game to break his opponent.

Enough to lead 5-4 and then conclude on his service, after 1h42 min of play.

He didn't face any break points and only dropped six points on his serve.

"To say that he serves hard is an understatement. I must say that I had never faced a player in my career with such a second serve. It was easier for me to return his first ball than his second", describes "Djoko".

"But it's nice to see a player serving and volleying, it's a bit of a flashback to the 80s," he adds.

In the round of 16, Djokovic will face either the Russian Karen Khachanov or the Swiss Marc-Andrea Hüsler, opposed in the evening.

The 35-year-old Serb, qualified for the end-of-year Masters (November 13-20 in Turin) for his coronation at Wimbledon, is looking for a seventh trophy in the Parisian hall.

In Paris, Nadal, who welcomed his first child, a boy named Rafael like him, made his return to the circuit after two months without competition, since his elimination in the round of 16 of the US Open (by Tiafoe).

"Aging Body"

If, at 36, he is mathematically in the race to finish the year on the throne of world No.1 for the sixth time in his career, the Spaniard with a record 22 Grand Slam trophies does not make it at all objective.

The Spaniard Rafael Nadal during a training session before the Laver Cup, October 22, 2022 in London Glyn KIRK AFP / Archives

Especially since until then, neither Bercy nor the end-of-season Masters have smiled on him.

"I am at a point in my career where I am no longer fighting to be world No.1" but "simply to continue to be competitive in each tournament that I play", insists "Rafa".

In what form is he arriving, he who has lived an "extraordinary in terms of results but complicated in terms of injuries" season?

"With an aging body like mine, when you come back from a period without competition, it's difficult to know how your body will react, how you're going to play," he replies cautiously.

On the French side, the only survivor of Tuesday's day is Corentin Moutet (64th), winner of Croatian Borna Coric (26th) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

It's over, however, for the new French N.1, Arthur Rinderknech, Adrian Mannarino, and Arthur Fils, at whose expense Fabio Fognini took his revenge.

Drafted as lucky loser after being beaten by the young Frenchman in qualifying, the 30-year-old Italian came to the end this time 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 in a warm atmosphere .

© 2022 AFP