French Open 2024: Novak Djokovic lays down early marker with dominant second-round win

24-time Novak Djokovic eased into the third round of Roland Garros 2024, making an early statement in his title defence in the claycourt Grand Slam.

Djokovic defeated World No. 63 Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets in the men’s singles second-round match at the Philippe Chatrier arena on Thursday, May 29. The Serb needed just a little over 2 hours to beat the Spaniard 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.

Novak Djokovic looked in complete control of proceedings at the centre court on another day when play on the outside courts were affected due to rain. Djokovic won 72 percent points on first serve, 24 percent more than Baena’s tally as the three-time champion looked comfortable on the red dirt. Djokovic was moving freely and fired those backhand down-the-line winners with precision and even gave a demo of his backhand pass after wrapping up the match in quick time on Thursday.

It was Novak Djokovic’s 19th successive third-round appearance at Roland Garros. The last time he failed to make at least the third round in the claycourt major was in his first year in 2005.

Djokovic looked calm and composed, sparking hopes of another French Open victory. There were doubts over Djokovic’s chances after a rickety ride on clay en route to the Grand Slam in Paris. Djokovic is under incredible pressure as he would lose the No. 1 ranking to Jannik Sinner, the winner of Australian Open, if he doesn’t reach the final in Paris. Djokovic, who won three of the four Grand Slams last year, is yet to win a title in the ongoing season.

However, Djokovic looked more comfortable in the second round than in the first. The Serb won his first-round match against local favourite Pierre-Hugues Herbert in straight sets, but was dragged to the tie-breaker in the second set.

Djokovic went ahead in the ninth game in the first set, but he stepped on the accelerator in the last two sets. He was up 4-0 in the second set against Baena and gave the 31-year-old Spaniard no chance in the third set.

OTHER RESULTS ON THURSDAY IN PARIS
Bulgarian 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov crushed Fabian Marozsan 6-0 6-3 6-4 to reach the third round as matches on outer courts and Court Simonne-Mathieu resumed after rain had stopped play.

Polish eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz bounced back from a shaky start to beat American Brandon Nakashima 6-7(2) 6-1 6-3 7-6(5) in the second round. The match, originally scheduled for Wednesday, had multiple rain interruptions.

Fifth seed Marketa Vondrousova beat Katie Volynets 0-6 6-1 6-4 to reach the third round. (With Reuters Inputs)