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Djokovic eases into French Open second round / Photo: © AFP
Djokovic eases into French Open second round
Defending champion Novak Djokovic took his French Open first round record to 20 wins out of 20 as he eased past French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert on Tuesday.
Djokovic, chasing a fourth title at Roland Garros and record 25th Grand Slam triumph, came through against his 142nd-ranked opponent 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.
The 37-year-old, who saw career-long rival and 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal exit the tournament on Monday, arrived in Paris under a cloud.
For the first time since 2018, he is without a title and has yet to reach a final this season.
He has also endured recent misfortunes being accidentally hit on the head by a metal water bottle in Rome and then suffering stomach problems in Geneva.
Djokovic has advanced to the French Open quarter-finals or better every year since 2010.
He will face Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena for a place in the last 32.
P.Thomas--SFF
