Paris: It was a contrasting day for two men’s singles winners at the Roland Garros, here Monday. Both returning from injuries this season, Novak Djokovic eased into the second round while Stan Wawrinka suffered a five-set loss against his Spanish opponent.
Djokovic, who lost in the semifinals of the Rome Master to Rafael Nadal, did not show any rustiness in his 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Dutra Silva of Brazil to advance to the second round. Yes, there were the occasional unforced errors, but Djokovic showed that he is slowly regaining his touch.
Qualifier Dutra broke Djokovic in the opening game of the match, but after that there was no stopping the Serbian who showed he had plenty in reserve to roll over his 134 th ranked opponent.
“The first round of any tournament is usually the toughest as you prepare yourself to the conditions,” Djokovic who won the title here in 2016, told reporters. “Thankfully, I have been able to get through, so it certainly a confidence-booster.”
Wawrinka was knocked out of the French Open by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(7-5), 6-3. The Swiss, who lifted the Musketeers Cup in 2015, led two sets to one but faded away after losing the fourth-set tie-break.
Wawrinka, seeded 23rd in Paris, has been clawing his way back to the top after undergoing two knee surgeries last summer.
Austrian seventh seed Dominic Thiem also had no problems in disposing of Iliya Ivashka of Belarus and won 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 to seal a second round berth. Thiem did not face a single breakpoint on his serve, but broke his rival six times in the match.
Youngster Stefano Tsitsipas of Grecce who reached the semifinals at Barcelona also looked good as he overcame Spaniard Carlos Taberner in four sets 7-5, 6-7(5-7), 6-4, 6-3 in a match that lasted 205 minutes. Clay exponent and local favourite Benoit Paire also had to work hard before beating Carbella Baena of Spain 6-3, 6-7(3-7), 7-6 (11-9), 6-1.
Other results
Ernests Gulbis bt Gilles Muller 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
Roberto Bautista Agut bt Denis Istomin 6-2, 6-7(3-7), 1-6, 6-4, 6-4
Marco Trungelliti bt Bernard Tomic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4