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Djokovic: No Traces of New York


By Richard Pagliaro

The pro tour moves on and so has Novak Djokovic.

The top-seeded Serbian swept Sweden's Mikael Ymer 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 rolling into his 16th straight Roland Garros second round today.

More: Djokovic Flying High Again

Djokovic is not in a New York state of mind in Paris.

The man who made ignominious history as the first top seed to be defaulted from the US Open in its 140-year history said he feels no scar tissue from his disqualification in Flushing Meadows.

"I have not had any traces of New York in my mind. I'm over it," Djokovic said. "Honestly forgot about it. I'm not thinking about it.

"I thought I started off extremely well, winning 6-love first set is the best possible way to start a Grand Slam. This is exactly what my intentions will be, trying to get off the blocks very strong with a good intensity.

"Obviously because players in the early rounds have nothing to lose, come out. And you could see there is quite a few surprises in the first round. You know, you have Medvedev out, some big players."

While some rivals, including 12-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal, have complained about the new, heavier Wilson balls and others have griped about the cold and biting on Sunday, Djokovic believes the heavier conditions are conducive to his style.

"Obviously these conditions are different than what we are used to here in French Open," Djokovic said. "Everyone has been talking about it. The balls, the heavy clay, the cold weather. It all affects the play, of course.

"But I think it's quite suitable to my style of the game. I actually enjoyed myself on the court today. I think I played really well. A few hiccups here and there, but I think generally the game is there."

Tennis Express

The 33-year-old Djokovic and Robin Soderling are the only two men to defeat Nadal in Paris.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion conquered Nadal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 in the 2015 Roland Garros quarterfinals contested amid cool conditions, a positive memory he can recall should the pair meet again in next month's final, which will be the first French Open final staged in autumn. 

"I'm ready physically, mentally, emotionally to go deep in the tournament," Djokovic said. "Hopefully I can have another successful year here in Paris."

Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open Facebook

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