Top seed Novak Djokovic made a happy return to Roland Garros on Tuesday as he took the first step towards a possible French Open quarter-final showdown with Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic came through a testing start to his bid to win the French Open title for the first time as he beat the experienced Finn Jarkko Nieminen 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 in the first round on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The Serbian, who arrived in Paris on the back of a victory at the Rome Masters, has now won his last 23 matches, although it was not all plain sailing for the world number one against Nieminen as the Finn broke to lead 3-1 in the second set.
The 33-year-old left-hander, appearing at his 50th major, found himself serving for the second set at 5-3 up only to blow his chance by losing the next four games.
After that, the final outcome was in little doubt and Djokovic secured victory on his fourth match point.
“It was a test, it was a challenge for me to come back to the court again…after the Rome final. And obviously it’s been a year since I played on Philippe Chatrier, and nice memories,” said the 28-year-old, who was given a warm ovation by the Paris crowd despite his final defeat in four sets to Nadal in 2014.
“Of course, I was aware of the quality and experience of my opponent today, who has shown, and especially in the second set, why he’s been around the tour and (been) a successful, consistent player for so many years. He can play.”
Djokovic nevertheless described his own performance as “very solid” as he began his attempt to become only the eighth player to win a career Grand Slam.
Standing in his way, however, is likely to be defending champion Nadal, seeded only sixth this year, who eased past French teenager Quentin Halys earlier on a cloudy Paris day.
Djokovic beat the Spaniard in straight sets in the semi-finals in Monte Carlo recently but he is aware that beating him at Roland Garros, where Nadal has already won the title nine times, could be somewhat tougher.
“I mean, his record says enough about the quality of the tennis that he plays here. Only once he has lost in his entire career.
“It’s without a doubt his most successful tournament. He loves playing on clay, especially here in Paris. Best of five, as well, something that is playing in his favour, because there are not many players who can compete physically with him.
“You spend a lot of energy to win one set and you have to win three. I think that’s one of the reasons he’s so successful here.”
