French Open: Wawrinka Knocked Out in First Round, Djokovic Through

Novak Djokovic launched his campaign for a second French Open title with a moody victory over Rogerio Dutra Silva.

Reuters
Tennis
Published:
Novak Djokovic launched his campaign for a second French Open title with a moody victory.
i
Novak Djokovic launched his campaign for a second French Open title with a moody victory.
(Photo: AP)

advertisement

Former champion Stan Wawrinka was knocked out of the French Open in the first round when he lost 6-2 3-6 4-6 7-6(5) 6-3 to Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Monday, 28 May.

The Swiss, who lifted the Musketeers Cup in 2015, led two sets to one but faded away after losing the fourth-set tiebreak.

Wawrinka, seeded 23rd in Paris, has been clawing his way back to the top after undergoing two knee surgeries last summer.

Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka misses a return against Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Monday, May 28, 2018. Wawrinka lost in five sets 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3. (Photo: AP)

Djokovic Off to Glum-faced Start

Novak Djokovic launched his campaign for a second French Open title with a moody victory over Brazilian qualifier Rogerio Dutra Silva on Monday, winning 6-3 6-4 6-4.

In his quest to become the first men's player in the Open era to win each of the Grand Slams twice, Djokovic, who underwent surgery on his elbow after January's Australian Open, looked unhappy even when he was stroking winners past his opponent.

You don’t always get to feel your best but all you can do is try and get the best out of it.
Novak Djokovic

Djokovic, who didn't play a competitive match between Wimbledon last July and Melbourne, endured a tough run into Roland Garros. He fell in the second rounds at Barcelona and Madrid before reaching the semi-finals in Rome, where he was defeated by world number one Rafael Nadal.

Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva dives to return a shot against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Monday, May 28, 2018.(Photo: AP)

Djokovic has never lost to a player ranked as low as Dutra Silva at number 134, but the claycourt specialist pushed his opponent around the court drawing frequent outbursts of frustration from the Serb.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

"He's a fighter. It was a good test for the first match," Djokovic told a news conference.

The 2016 Roland Garros champion said he felt he was beginning to play better and free of pain after "a long 12 months". This year is the first that Djokovic has not won a tour-level title prior to the French Open.

Asked if the tour was too demanding on players he replied:

The fact is we have the longest season of all sports and that is unfortunately hurting a lot of players.

"We all try to be fit, get our bodies and mind in the best possible state so we can always compete at the highest level but it's not always possible."

Djokovic faces Spain's unseeded Jaume Munar in the second round.

UPDATE: Ten-10 champions Rafael Nadal’s first-round match against Simone Bolelli on Court Philippe Chatrier was suspended until Tuesday (29 May) due to rain. After Nadal took the opening two sets 6-4, 6-3, Bolelli was leading 3-0 in the third before the match was postponed.

(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

Published: undefined

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL FOR NEXT