Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic step up French Open challenges

Straits Times

a day ago

Italy's Jannik Sinner in action during his first round match against France's Arthur Rinderknech in the French Open. PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS - Jannik Sinner takes on the retiring Richard Gasquet at the French Open on May 29, while Novak Djokovic looks to sharpen his game in the second round in his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title.
Women's second seed and former Roland Garros finalist Coco Gauff also targets a place in the last 16 along with 18-year-old contender Mirra Andreeva.
World No. 1 Sinner faces his second French opponent in a row at Roland Garros and is expecting a memorable encounter against the 38-year-old Gasquet, playing at the tournament for the 22nd and final time.
'I know you're going to support him (Gasquet), it's OK, I know that,' Sinner told the crowd after his first-round win over hope Arthur Rinderknech.
'I'm just happy to share a court with him.'
The 23-year-old Italian showed some signs of rustiness against Rinderknech in just his seventh match back since returning from a three-month doping suspension.
Sinner made his comeback at the Italian Open earlier in May, reaching the final before losing in straight sets to reigning Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic, fresh off his 100th ATP title last weekend, got his tilt at a fourth French Open title off to a solid start on May 27.
The Serbian sixth seed will need to be on his guard against crafty Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
'I don't know how many more Grand Slams I've got left in my body,' Djokovic said after the opening round.
'I spent quite a bit of time in making sure that every step of the way in preparation and prevention is respected in order for me to still be able to play on this level.'
Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his first round Frech Open match against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Third-ranked Alexander Zverev meets Jesper de Jong for a place in round three, with Alex de Minaur, Jakub Mensik, Arthur Fils and Joao Fonseca all returning to the court as well on Thursday.
Gael Monfils looks to pull off an upset over British fifth seed Jack Draper in the night session after fighting back from two sets down under the lights on Court Philippe Chatrier in his opener.
Gauff laughed off an amusing lapse that led to her arriving on court without any racquets ahead of her first-round win.
The American said it actually helped her relax as she targets a first title since last year's WTA Finals, having come up just short in Madrid and Rome.
'I think as the rounds go, I think it's just with every tournament you feel more comfortable out there on the court,' said Gauff, who plays Czech qualifier Tereza Valentova in her second match.
'You have a match under your belt and know how to deal with certain situations. I think the first round is the most nervous I get. After that, you just feel like it's a little bit more smooth sailing.'
Sixth seed Andreeva, who had an impressive run to the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2024, plays American Ashlyn Krueger.
Andreeva is playing her first Grand Slam as a top-10 seed after capturing WTA 1000 series titles in Dubai and Indian Wells.
Third seed Jessica Pegula plays fellow American Ann Li, while Australian Open champion Madison Keys takes on Britain's Katie Boulter.
Other past and present Grand Slam champions Marketa Vondrousova, Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin and Barbora Krejcikova are also on the schedule. AFP
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