FRENCH OPEN: NOVAK DJOKOVIC vs. RAFAEL NADAL, “UNLUCKY” AND “COULD EASILY HAVE WON” KEY SETS
While seeing Rafael Nadal lose to Alexander Zverev in the first round of the French Open, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic was impressed by what he saw from his former opponent. The fourth seed defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3, although he gave a strong performance even though he wasn’t fully fit. Nadal “could have easily won” the second and third sets vs the world’s #4 player, according to Djokovic.
Highlights of the French Open: Zverev overcomes Nadal on a poignant occasion for the Spanish legend
Despite Rafael Nadal’s defeat in the first round of the French Open by Alexander Zverev, 14-time champion Novak Djokovic has praised the player’s effort.
Continuing his comeback from yet another injury layoff, Nadal was matched cruelly against the fourth-seeded German player in the first round of the French Open after arriving in Paris unsettled and unsure of his level of fitness.
On Court Philippe-Chatrier, the Spaniard lost 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3, but he disproved the naysayers by competing well against the powerful, hard-hitting Zverev.
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Attending the match, top-seeded Djokovic at Roland-Garros said he was impressed by what he saw from his former opponent.
“I believe he performed quite well in comparison to his previous performances in Rome and Barcelona,” Djokovic remarked.
“I believe he performed at a significantly higher caliber. The second and third sets were really tight, despite the fact that he lost in straight sets.That match might have been going in a different direction, and he could have easily won one of those two sets.
He was a little unfortunate with the tie, though, as Zverev was winning in Rome and playing quite well. Playing Sascha when he has such a good feel for the ball is difficult.”
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After initially returning to his preferred surface in Barcelona, Rafael Nadal lost to Alex de Minaur in the second round and was eliminated by Jiri Lehecka in the Madrid Masters last 16.
After that, Zverev lifted the title in Rome after Hubert Hurkacz defeated him.
It’s unclear if the Spaniard will play in Roland-Garros in the future after retracting an earlier statement that suggested this would be his final season.
On Thursday, Djokovic will play Roberta Caballes Baena, a fellow countrywoman of Rafael Nadal, in the second round.
