World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is the oddsmakers favorite to capture his first French Open crown and complete the career Grand Slam. But there's another high seed with a Grand Slam champion coach in his corner capable of winning his first French Open: Kei Nishikori.

Following Nishikori's 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 first-round victory over Paul-Henri Mathieu, the French veteran said Nishikori can win the clay-court major.

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"Quite obviously he could win Roland Garros one day," Mathieu said after the match today. "Given how fast he progressed over the last few years, that's quite impressive. And it's not his favorite surface to start with. Over the last three years we felt he was making such huge progress."

Nishikori broke serve seven times wrapping up a sharp two hour, 10-minute victory to raise his clay record to 11-2 this season.

Next up for Nishikori is a second-round meeting with either Geneva champion Thomaz Bellucci or Australian Marinko Matosevic. Nishikori is 5-0 against Matosevic; the No. 5 seed has not faced Bellucci before.

Though the 2014 US Open runner-up has never surpassed the fourth round in Paris and owns only six career French Open wins, Mathieu said Nishikori's balance off both wings, his ability to take the ball early and speed around the court all make him a title threat in Paris.

"It was difficult, because he catches the ball very early so it's difficult to change the trajectory," Mathieu said. "He's very smart and moves very fast on the sides. You don't want to give him too much of an angle. He's a very good player and I expected that."

Photo credit: FFT