By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, May 26, 2016
"I'm pleased to get the job done in three sets, but there were things I definitely didn't like in my game," said Novak Djokovic.
Photo credit: Philippe Montigny/FFT
Music and dance are both part-time pursuits of Novak Djokovic.
The world No. 1 tuned up for Roland Garros playing the piano.
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Djokovic danced with a dangerous shark to reach round three and score his 50th career Roland Garros win today.
Continuing his quest to complete the career Grand Slam, Djokovic dispatched veteran qualifier Steve Darcis, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.
The 32-year-old Darcis, nicknamed "Shark" by friends and opponents, is a dangerous all-court player who was ranked No. 135 when he shocked Rafael Nadal in the opening round of the 2013 Wimbledon in a straight-sets sweep. It was the first Grand Slam opening-round exit of Nadal's career and came weeks after his eighth Roland Garros title.
Djokovic knows the danger Darcis poses and was determined to get off to a fast start today. He did so initially, but the three-time finalist wasn't completely satisfied with his performance.
"I'm pleased to get the job done in three sets, but there were things I definitely didn't like in my game today," Djokovic said.
Djokovic was frustrated by the fact he let break leads slip and did not close the opening set decisively, though he was quick to credit Darcis for causing complications.
"Too many unforced errors from the first or second shot in the rally," Djokovic said. "But, you know, credit to Steve for playing a lot of variety and mixing up the pace. Very low slice. It's not easy, because he's very quick, and he anticipates the play very well."
Darcis is a talented shotmaker, who had his moments in the opening set mixing his off-pace slice by banging his forehand down the line.
It took the top seed five set points to finally subdue Darcis and take the first set with the Belgian sailed a return.
"I would say that all three sets when I was a break up I allowed Steve to come back to those sets and fight for those sets, because I was managing to drop my serve very easily," Djokovic said. "So hopefully that's not going to happen in the following rounds. The matches will get tougher and it's kind of expected at the beginning that you are a bit rusty on the court, and hopefully things will get better."
By the third set, Djokovic was in complete control. The physical challenge of running with the world No. 1 was taking a toll.
Djokovic gave the Belgian a guided tour of the court with this smooth drop and lob combination platter.
The 11-time Grand Slam champion wasn't happy about dropping serve twice or scattering 42 unforced errors across the clay. But Djokovic has surrendered just 18 games through two rounds. He faces sometime practice partner Aljaz Bedene next.
"We practiced a bit in Monte-Carlo and couple of places," Djokovic said. "We speak the same language, so it's easy to get around, and, you know, find good ways to communicate. He's a good guy. He's very talented, very quick motion for a first serve.
"I'm expecting a tough one, because now it's third round and slowly we are getting into second week of tournament. Not easy matches anymore. I know he doesn't have anything to lose. We might play on center court, one of the two big ones, and I'm sure he will give it all."
The Australian Open champion permitted just nine games beating Bedene at the 2015 Melbourne major in their only prior meeting.
"I did learn a lot. That you shouldn't have any sloppy games," Bedene said of facing the world No. 1. "I have to be focused, have to play my game and see what happens."