Novak Djokovic is not “too excited” in his opening match at Roland Garros on Tuesday, while Coco Gauff went off to a strong start.
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DJOKOVIC NOT ‘TOO EXCITED’ AFTER WINNING ROLAND GARROS OPENER
Djokovic doesn’t want to get “too excited” after opening his French Open campaign this year with a 7-6(3), 6-4 win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
The World No.1 is going to Ronald Garros still seeking his first title this year after several misses at the Australian Open and other ATP tournaments.
Djokovic watched on the sidelines after Rafael Nadal was ousted in the first round on Monday.
“I don’t want to get too excited. I thought it was a good performance for me. Solid,” Djokovic said.
“Of course, I could have done better, I think, on return games, but also credit to him (Herbert) serving very well, for changing things up,” he added.
Herbert tallied 37 winners compared to 29 for Djokovic to make things interesting.
The Serbian superstar slid for a backward winner to get a match point before Herbert double-faulted to end their matchup.
GAUFF TRIUMPHS TO START BID FOR FIRST FRENCH OPEN TITLE
Gauff started her bid for a French Open title by posting a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Julia Avdeeva of Germany.
The 20-year-old American needed only less than an hour to advance despite Avdeeva accidentally bumping her head against the umpire’s at one point.
“Today was kind of a straightforward match. I didn’t have to do much. I wouldn’t say I played amazing,” Gauff said.
The win sets up Gauff to next face Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek, who defeated Alison Van Uytvanck, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1.
Gauff took advantage of world No.298 Avdeeva’s stress during the match.
“I do think she (Avdeeva) was a little bit nervous with the bigger court, but I played well, too,” the world No.3 said.
ALIZE CORNET RETIRES AFTER LOSING FIRST-ROUND FRENCH OPEN MATCH
Former World No.11 Alize Cornet officially retired from tennis on Tuesday after absorbing a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Qinwen Zheng.
The 34-year-old six-time champion on the WTA Tour was shown a montage of her career played on the videoboard at the Philippe Chatrier court after the match.
Cornet earlier announced that this year’s French Open would be her final tournament before calling it quits.
“Roland Garros is a love story that was not always easy, and I think it’s the case also for all the French tennis players,” Cornet said.
Cornet made her major main draw at the French Open in 2005 as a 15-year-old.
