Novak Djokovic successfully began his 22nd appearance at Roland Garros.
The third seed and three-time French Open champion defeated home player Giovanni Petshi Perricard, world no. 83, in the opening round in four sets, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.
The match, which closed the opening day session on court Philippe-Chatrier, lasted two hours and 51 minutes.
The opening set featured no break opportunities through the first ten games, with both players holding serve comfortably in an evenly balanced contest. The turning point came in the 11th game, when Perricard converted his fourth break point to secure a crucial advantage. The Frenchman then confidently served out the set to take it 7-5.
The second set was marked by a series of missed opportunities for Novak on his opponent’s serve, while Perricard failed to create a single break point of his own. The French player served brilliantly under pressure and resisted for much of the set, but Djokovic eventually converted his tenth break chance, doing so in the final game of the set to level the match at 7-5. From that moment on, the Serbian took full control of the contest.
Novak raised his level significantly in the third set, playing with greater confidence and aggression while giving his opponent little room to respond. With two breaks of serve, he comfortably wrapped up the set 6-1.
The fourth set began with an early break from Novak, but Perricard responded immediately by breaking back in the following game. The decisive moment arrived in the seventh game, when the Serbian secured another break and held on to the advantage through the remainder of the match to seal the victory.
Statistics: aces (12-16), double faults (2-4), winners (45-54), unforced errors (18-46), total points won (131-102).
Novak will face another French player in the second round on Wednesday, 24-year-old Valentin Royer, world no. 74, whom he has never faced before.
Photo: Profimedia