Djokovic, Nadal Cruise Into French Open Second Round

May 24, 2016 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Lee Seidner

Nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal looked the part in opening round action at the French Open, cruising into the Roland Garros second round with a routine 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Australia’s Sam Groth.

Nadal’s serve was impenetrable, losing just five total points on serve, winning 84 percent of his serves. He hit 25 winners and had just three unforced errors.

“It’s obvious that it was a good start for me,” said Nadal, who needed just one hour and 20 minutes to move past Groth. “The most important thing that I had to do today, I did well, which was return. I played without making many mistakes.”

Nadal will take on Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis next. Bagnis defeated Kenny De Schepper 6-0, 6-2, 7-6(2).

World number one Novak Djokovic defeated Chinese Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in his Roland Garros opener.

“Second and third sets were really good. I thought I found my rhythm,” said Djokovic. “The first set was up and down. But I’ll take the positives out of it, and I’m hoping I can progress as the tournament goes on.”

Djokovic will take on Belgium’s Steve Darcis, who beat Marsel Ilhan 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

Finishing up their respective matches from Monday, Andy Murray completed his comeback against Radek Stepanek, winning 3-6, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5, while John Isner hung on for a 6-7(4), 7-6(12), 7-6(7), 7-5 victory.

Other notable winners on Tuesday include David Ferrer, David Goffin, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tomas Berdych, Dominic Thiem and Bernard Tomic. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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