Paris: Former champion Novak Djokovic reached the French Open men’s singles third round for the 13th consecutive year beating Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar 7-6(7/1), 6-4, 6-4 but never looked at his convincing best.
Djokovic, the 2016 Roland Garros champion and former World No.1, is seeded 20 this year after struggling to rediscover his best form after returning from a right elbow injury. He wasn’t at his best on Court Suzanne Lenglen, but will next face Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the last 16. The Spaniard beat Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.
Serbian Djokovic, a 12-time Grand Slam champion fired 39 winners but 33 unforced errors and was broken three times by Munar, the World No.155.
“I am very happy to be here on Suzanne Lenglen and see so many people and see the support,” said Djokovic. “Jaume is a great player, he has lots of quality and good concentration.”
Djokovic’s fighting qualities were on demonstration as he chased down a number of balls and came up with winners on both flanks.
Meanwhile Czech 17th seed Tomas Berdych lost a rain-interrupted first round match to home hope Jeremy Chardy on the showpiece Court Philippe Chatrier 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (10/8) 1-6, 5-7, 6-2.
Among other winners on the day were Spaniard Pablo Carreno-Busta who beat Francois Delbonis 7-6(7-0), 7-6(7-2), 3-6, 6-4. In another match played late Tuesday night, Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who is struggling with a wrist problem, showed tremendous grit to beat Nicolas Mahut of France 1-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.
Later on the day, Alexander Zverev came from behind to beat Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to enter the last 32 stage. Japanese Kei Nishikori also required five sets to edge past Benoit Paire 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Meanwhile, Grigor Dimitrov survived Jared Donaldson scare as the fourth seeded Bulgarian scraped past the American 6-7(2-7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. Both Nishikori and Dimitrov entered round of 32.