Roland-Garros: Djokovic succeeds in his entry while waiting for Alcaraz

Paris (AFP) – For the first day of this Roland-Garros 2023 this Monday, May 29, the favorites make their entrance: Novak Djokovic who aims for the record of 23 Grand Slam titles has negotiated his first match, shortly before Carlos Alcaraz launches his campaign.

Novak Djokovic in his first match, on the first day of Roland Garros. © Benoit Paire, Caroline Garcia

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I'm glad. I started the tournament well and I hope to be able to raise my level, "commented the Serb, Novak Djokovic 36, in French in front of the public of the Philippe-Chatrier court just after dismissing the American Aleksandar Kovacevic (114th in the world). "I played well the first two sets, then I lost a little concentration, but he raised his level of play. In Grand Slams, the opponent does not give you the victory, you have to earn it, "added the world N.3 who will face in the second round the Hungarian colossus Marton Fucsovics (83rd).

On the sun-drenched but windswept Centre Court, Djokovic took a few games to find his feet. Starting at 2-2 in the first set, however, he appeared clearly above his opponent: he won nine of the next eleven games to lead 5-1 in the second set and close it quietly. In the third set, he was less incisive, conceded twice and was pushed to the tie break, in which he was uncompromising against the American of Serbian origin who was participating for the first time at 24 years old in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.

Djokovic is competing in his 19th major on clay since his first in 2005. He has never lost in the first round, and since 2010 he has always reached at least the quarterfinals, winning the title twice, in 2016 and 2021. He now has 86 victories at Roland-Garros where only the master of the place Nadal, titled 14 times, but absent this year, has done better (112).

The main opponent of the Serb this year will certainly be the world N.1 Alcaraz who was against the Italian Flavio Cobolli (159th and from qualifying).

(

With AFP)

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