Djokovic and Alcaraz ease by opening spherical at French Open
Both among the many favourites for Roland Garros glory this 12 months within the absence of injured 14-time winner Rafael Nadal from the boys’s singles draw, there was by no means a chance of both prime seed being ousted in a serious shock on day two of the Grand Slam.
Djokovic overcame American debutant Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-1), establishing a second-round assembly with Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday as he appears to be like to make the most of Nadal’s absence with a persistent hip concern and transfer one clear within the battle for essentially the most all-time Majors along with his twenty third.
“It’s always a pleasure to come back here, one of the best tournaments in the world,” mentioned Djokovic, French Open champion in 2016 and 2021.
Collision course: Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz may meet within the French Open semis
/ Reuters/Getty Images“I’m very motivated to go far here, all the way I hope.”
World No1 Alcaraz later blasted previous Italian qualifier Flavio Cobolli 6-0 6-2 7-5 as he laid down an early marker in his bid so as to add to his lone singles Slam so far, the 2022 US Open. He missed the Australian Open earlier this 12 months, which Djokovic received, on account of a hamstring downside.
Japan’s Taro Daniel lies in wait subsequent for Alcaraz, who’s in the identical half of the draw as third seed Djokovic, which may result in a blockbuster semi-final showdown between the pair. Second seed Daniil Medvedev opens his marketing campaign in opposition to Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild on Tuesday.