Novak Djokovic dropped the primary set of his 2026 Roland Garros marketing campaign however the 24-time main champion was a fast research on Sunday evening. He solved the riddle of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s rocket serve and notched a four-set win to ebook his 102nd profession win in Paris, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.
“It was very difficult, clearly mentally and for me to carry my nerves within the vital moments. Hasn’t occurred first set, however then after, it was nice as a result of I used to be in a position to learn his serve a bit extra and anticipate higher.
“First set, zero likelihood actually on his serve, he has some of the super serves by way of precision and pace that I’ve ever confronted in my profession.”
22 appearances on the French Open and 22-0 in first-round matches on the Parisian clay.
A sophisticated however productive day on the workplace for a legend of the sport who simply turned 39 and who entered the match with some doubts after getting into the principle draw with out a clay courtroom win to his identify in 2026.
The Serbian had performed only one match on the floor, a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 loss to compatriot Dino Prizmic in Rome.
However the Slams are a distinct animal, and Djokovic is a distinct animal on the Slams. He began the night by breaking the all-time file for Grand Slam most important draw appearances with 82, and completed it by erasing lots of the doubts which have surrounded him since his loss in Rome.
Unable to interrupt Mpetshi Perricard within the first set, Djokovic would end the match with 5 breaks of serve. He heaped reward on the Frenchman for his unimaginable serve – which topped out at 145 mph – after the match, nevertheless it wasn’t ok to maintain the world’s finest returner at bay.
“I feel no one desires him within the draw, to be sincere. If he places sure issues collectively, he can have a extremely vivid future,” Djokovic stated.
Djokovic improves to 102-17 lifetime on the match and can face France’s Valentin Royer within the second spherical.
