For his first game since his defeat in the US Open final, the world number 1 conceded a set at Marton Fucsovics before winning. He will face the winner of the Franco-French duel between Gael Monfils and Adrian Mannarino.
Le Monde with AFP
It was expected. Seven weeks after his dream of Grand Slam Calendar broken in the final of the US Open, Novak Djokovic had a return in simple chahuté at the Masters 1000 from Paris Tuesday 2 November. Opposed to the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics (40 e ), the Serb ended by winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours stack. His next opponent will be the winner of the 100% French duel between Gaël Monfils and Adrian Mannarino.
Fifty days separated the world number 1 of its last appearance in singles, September 12 in New York, when Daniil Medvedev deprived him of both US Open, Grand Slam Calendar and 21 E Record major trophy.
We first believed at a serene return of Djokovic, arrived on the Parisian court with almost two hours of delay on initial programming. Especially since he had taken – victoriously – his brands the day before, associated with his compatriot Filip Krajinovic.
Against Fucksovics, he quickly escaped 3 games at 0, then a new break offered him the first sleeve 6-2. But things then complicated for the Serbian, confronted at once to more than one respondent of his Hungarian opponent, and himself guilty of a number of approximations. To the point of not filling an early break loose at 1 everywhere in the second set on which he had to do a cross.
Everything has not been simple either in the decisive handle: it has taken the wide 3 games at 1, but Fucksovics returned to 3-2, before granting in the wake a new break, this time definitive . “It’s a return to the competition for me after almost two months without playing official tournament, so it was a bit difficult to find the pace, but I’m happy, it’s a good victory,” A-T- He appreciated.
Three French still in the running
His next opponent will therefore be Mannarino, qualified since Monday, or Monfils, winner 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 of the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (69 e ).
Asked about his fitness two days ago, the number 1 French had not reassured when he had repeated three times “not at best” and had explained to feel “a lot of physical and mental fatigue”. But he found the resources to hold good and mount power after the quick loss of the first round. “With the public, the machine started, it’s perfect,” he said.
“We knew a few months very hard, then play in front of you, it’s an incredible pleasure, it’s fabulous,” he added, qualifying “beautiful party for the French” his Duel from Wednesday with Mannarino. In total, the blues were only seven on the starting line, the most tightened quota for more than fifteen years (2005). With the young Hugo Gaston qualified the day before, they will be three in the second round, as in 2002, 2004 and 2018.