'Good feeling for now' for Djokovic in Paris

NOVAK Djokovic made a clinical start to his latest pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open on Tuesday, while women’s contenders Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva successfully got their campaigns under way at a windy Roland Garros.

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The 38-year-old Djokovic had little trouble in seeing off 98th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 6-3 6-3, three days after becoming only the third man to win 100 ATP titles with his victory in Geneva.

“Well, the emotions were really nice,” said Djokovic, seeded sixth and playing in Paris for the first time since winning Olympic gold last August.

“But, you know, it was quite challenging conditions I think at the beginning of the match with the wind and rain and everything that was happening.” The three-time French Open champion lost his opening matches in both Monte Carlo and Madrid earlier in the clay-court season, but was dominant against McDonald, despite failing to serve out the second set in the eighth game.

“I think it was good move to go to Geneva, to be honest, because I was also struggling a little bit with confidence level, doubting my game a bit,” said Djokovic.

“So, it was good that I got four matches under my belt, won a title.