French Open: Djokovic makes smooth start to bid for 25th Grand Slam title

PARIS: Novak Djokovic braved strong winds and light rain but found little resistance from American Mackenzie McDonald, cruising into the French Open second round on Tuesday to start his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown.

The sixth-seed Serbian, fresh from his title win in Geneva last week — the 100th of his career — pummelled McDonald into submission with a dominant 6-3 6-3 6-3 win on the same court he claimed singles gold at the Paris Olympics last year.

“It is great to return here a year later. I don’t know how many future Grand slams I have left in my hands but this is special,” Djokovic said in a post-match interview.

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“I feel good and here even better because I can relive the Olympic Games here. Today it was a solid match throughout all three sets.

“I know I can play at a better level than today but I am satisfied. There is the chance to make further history and that is the biggest motivation to work, improve and be here.”

Djokovic, who looks to have found his form after splitting with coach Andy Murray a few weeks ago, broke the American at 2-2 and, after a 10-minute interruption due to wind and rain, raced into a 5-2 lead.

He was unfazed by another interruption to close the roof over the Philippe Chatrier court, wrapping up the first set on his serve.

Another break at the start of the second set put the 38-year-old firmly in the driving seat, leaving the 98th-ranked American with a mountain to climb.

Djokovic was equally dominant in the third with another early break, sealing the win on his first match point when McDonald sank a backhand return into the net.

Djokovic is now a record-extending 21-0 in first rounds at the French Open and has not lost a single set in an opener in Paris since 2010.

Likewise, Alexander Zverev made an impressive start to his latest bid for a first Grand Slam title with a straight-sets victory over American teenager Learner Tien at Roland Garros on Tuesday.

The German third seed, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s French Open final, saw off Tien 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Zverev will next face either Dutchman Jesper de Jong or Italy’s Francesco Passaro in the second round.

The 28-year-old, who has lost all three of his Grand Slam finals, has made at least the last four in each of the past four French Opens.

Tien, 19, appeared to be a tricky first-round draw for Zverev after an impressive run to the Australian Open last 16, but was no match for the world number three.