PARIS. – World No. 1 and holder Novak Djokovic cruised past Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3 6-1 6-0 on Monday to advance to the French Open second round in a comfortable start to his quest for a record-equaling 21st Grand Slam.
The Serb, who turned 35 on Sunday, needed less than two hours to beat the Japanese world No. 99 in his first Grand Slam this year after missing the Australian Open.
“I have to be pleased with the match. I struggled to adapt in the first set. He is a very quick player. The first set was close, but I cruised through the second and third,” Djokovic told reporters.
“I always expect the highest for myself, but it was a very good start.”
Rafael Nadal also showed no signs of pain as the 13-time French Open champion marched into the second round with a clinical 6-2 6-2 6-2 demolition of Australian Jordan Thompson.
The Spaniard, who had never arrived in Paris as unprepared as this year after a rib injury and a chronic foot problem hampered the build-up to his beloved Grand Slam tournament, was never bothered on a chilly court Philippe Chatrier.
