Rafael Nadal began his quest for the Paris edition of “La Décima” with relative ease on Monday at Roland Garros, dismissing Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 in just under two hours. “For me, it's important to serve a little bit better than what I did today... I feel that some moments I was not serving that well. The rest of the things I am happy with,” Nadal said. The nine-time Roland Garros champion is again looking to make history during this European clay-court swing as he seeks a record 10th Roland Garros title. No man or woman has won a Grand Slam event 10 times in the Open Era (since April 1968). Most titles at the same Grand Slam...
Second seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic opened his campaign for a 13th Grand Slam championship title on Monday when he defeated Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 27 minutes. He will next face Joao Sousa in the second round. With his new coach, Andre Agassi, the 1999 titlist, watching in the stands, and clothing of his new sponsor Lacoste, Djokovic won four of the first five games as he seized control in the pair’s fourth meeting. Granollers saved eight set points at 4-5 in the second set, while the third set featured six service breaks and ended when Granollers hit a forehand long. Afterwards, Djokovic celebrated his 21st match win of the year by waving...
Fifth seed Milos Raonic struck 44 winners, including 15 aces, past Belgian Steve Darcis in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over one hour and 31 minutes on Monday at Roland Garros. Raonic’s best performance at the clay-court Grand Slam championship was a run to the 2014 quarter-finals (l. to Djokovic). “It's always good to start and to be as efficient as possible,” said Raonic, who will next face Rogerio Dutra Silva or 2010 quarter-finalist Mikhail Youzhny. “I was able to break relatively early in all three sets and just sort of go about my business throughout the whole match. So I'm happy with that, and it gives me a little more freedom to spend more time working on my game...