Novak Djokovic made successful first steps in Rome

The Serbian player, No. 1 in the world, won in 1 h 30 min.

Djokovic, the outgoing finalist of the tournament, will find in the next round the winner of the match between his compatriot Laslo Djere (59th) and the Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka (361st), who won his first victory for 15 months on Monday after a long absence. due to the wound.

The Serb did not use his reserves to oust Karatsev, who defeated him in April 2021, in Belgrade, in their past and only clay confrontation.

Djokovic got up on the first run. If he lost service after the first break, the Serb again took the face-off from the Russian to take a 5-3 lead.

Less than two weeks before the French Open, Djokovic is still pretty much looking for benchmarks (balance and pitch placement) after a first quarter that almost stopped marked by his expulsion from Australia.

Djokovic must reach the semi-finals if he wants to keep his world No. 1 spot sought by Daniil Medvedev.

For his part, Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, finalist of the 2020 edition, will have to fight on Tuesday to pass the first round. He erased two match points before bringing Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic to the heel 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) in 2:45.

Schwartzman, 15th in the world, won 17 against clay in 2022. He surpassed young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (16 wins in 17 battles).

Rafael Nadal, in search of his 11th title in Rome, is expected on Wednesday for his first match, against American John Isner (27th), who qualified on Tuesday by dominating the first round with Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (49th), 6-4 and 6-3.

Today’s results:

First round:

• David Goffin (BEL) lost. Hubert Hurkacz (POL/no 11) 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (7/2)
• Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) defeated Brandon Nakashima (USA) 6-3, 6-4
• Cameron Norrie (GBR/no 9) defeated Luca Nardi (ITA) 6-4, 6-4
• Sebastián Baez (ARG) defeated Tallon Griekspoor (NED) 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-2

Second turn:

• Christian Garín (CHI) defeated Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) 6-4, 6-4