Djokovic advances to French Open second round despite shoulder problem

Novak Djokovic opened the French Open with a four-set win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Sunday, surviving an uneven start and moving into the second round at Roland-Garros. Reuters reported that Djokovic was managing a shoulder problem coming into the tournament, and the result was his first match victory since March. The Serbian, a three-time champion in Paris, came through against the big-serving Frenchman on Court Philippe-Chatrier after dropping the first set. Roland-Garros listed the match as Djokovic’s first-round win on May 24. ### How did Djokovic get through the opener? Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard pushed Djokovic early with his serve and took the opening set before the Serbian settled. Match reports from Roland-Garros and other coverage of the result showed Djokovic winning 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 after cutting down the errors that marked the start of the match. Reuters described the performance as resilient after a shaky opening phase. (rolandgarros.com) Court Philippe-Chatrier gave Mpetshi Perricard the setting he wanted, with the 22-year-old Frenchman facing Djokovic for the first time in front of a home crowd. ATP Tour had previewed the matchup as a clash between one of the game’s biggest servers and one of its best returners, and that pattern showed early before Djokovic took control in the middle sets. (rolandgarros.com) ### What was the shoulder issue coming in? April 21 was the point when Djokovic publicly said a shoulder injury was threatening his buildup to Roland-Garros. TNT Sports reported then that he hoped “to be ready” for the French Open after the problem disrupted his schedule and kept him out of action for more than a month. Reuters’ account of the opener said he advanced despite that shoulder problem. (atptour.com) Roland-Garros said before the tournament that Djokovic had been unsure for some time whether he would be able to compete in Paris this year. In a tournament preview published May 22, Djokovic said that after Indian Wells it was “not possible” for him to compete for several months, and that he went to Rome mainly to test how he felt in match conditions. (tntsports.co.uk) ### Why did this win matter beyond round one? March was the last time Djokovic had won a match before Sunday, according to Reuters’ tournament coverage. That gave extra weight to an opener that might otherwise have been treated as routine for a 24-time Grand Slam champion. Reuters also noted that he had to absorb an uncertain start before closing the match out. (rolandgarros.com) Paris remains one of Djokovic’s strongest major venues. Roland-Garros said in its pre-tournament coverage that he came into this year’s event with a 101-17 career record at the tournament across 21 appearances. He is chasing a 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would move him further clear in the men’s record books. (rolandgarros.com) ### What did the draw ask of him straight away? Sunday’s first-round draw gave Djokovic little room to ease into the event. Mpetshi Perricard’s serve and home support made the matchup one of the more dangerous openers in the men’s bracket, and ATP Tour had quoted the Frenchman before the match saying, “It’s going to be quite a fight.” (rolandgarros.com) The wider first day in Paris underlined that risk. Reuters and other tournament coverage showed seeded American Taylor Fritz losing to Nishesh Basavareddy, while Alexander Zverev and Djokovic both advanced. That left Djokovic through, but it also showed that the men’s draw was unstable from the start. (atptour.com) ### What comes next for Djokovic in Paris? Roland-Garros has Djokovic into the second round after the May 24 win, with the tournament continuing in Paris this week. The official tournament site is carrying his match highlights and post-match interview as the men’s singles draw moves forward toward the next round. (rolandgarros.com) (outlookindia.com)