Three-time Roland-Garros champion Novak Djokovic began his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title, producing a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win to outshine world No. 98 Mackenzie McDonald just shy of two hours on the Parisian red clay surface on Tuesday afternoon.
In his on-court interview, the 100-time ATP titlist commented: “I try to enjoy every moment on this very special and beautiful court. I feel good, clearly, even more here because I am reliving the memories of last year’s Olympics, the last time I played on this court. [They are] beautiful emotions.”
Last July, he became a gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, beating Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
“It was a solid match,” he added. “I know he can play to a better standard than today, but I am very happy with what I produced.”
Next, he will face the winner of an all-French duel between Corentin Moutet and Clement Tabur.
The 38-year-old was dominant throughout a high-quality showing.
Keeping his opponent on the defensive, the 24-time major champion opened the court, striking powerful groundstrokes while varying his serves to place himself up a set after 46 minutes.
The players faced heavy conditions as they hit Court Philippe-Chatrier on a cool, windy Tuesday afternoon.
Nonetheless, Djokovic, making his 21st straight appearance at the French Open, started strong, coming to the net often and being clinical at the big moments.
In the third game, he faced a break point that the American missed to convert as the Serbian quickly shot the door to move ahead 2-1.
The sixth seed got a time violation for delaying play, asking the chair umpire to close the roof as light rain began to pour, which would happen eventually in the set as both players were bothered by the tough conditions.
As play got underway, the sixth game saw the California native hit a backhand wide, which cost him the break with Djokovic up 4-2.
Soon, the seventh game became the highlight of the opener as the rallies intensified with cross-court exchanges.
Then, a battle at the net, featuring an exquisite drop shot to build a brilliant point, resulted in the world number six extending his lead 5-2.
He served for the set, unbothered as the roof slowly began to close due to the weather conditions.
Picking up where he left off, the former world number one broke his opponent’s serve to kick off the second set, holding to love, extending his early lead to 2-0.
From there, they went on serves until a double break handed Djokovic the seventh game. However, he failed to seize his chances when serving for the set, broken straight back by McDonald, who narrowed the gap to 3-5.
The 30-year-old followed to serve under pressure, conceding the break in the ninth game to an adversary, who, in control of play, did not hesitate to pocket the set 6-3 in 40 minutes.
The final set saw Djokovic cementing his supremacy; he edged the American player in the sixth game, broken as he hit a forehand long.
Building from there, he wrapped up the set 6-3 and the match, securing a spot in the second round at the prestigious red clay major.
Djokovic hit 32 winners to 20 unforced errors, converted five of nine break points, and won 81 percent of the points on his first serve and 71 percent behind his second delivery.
Meanwhile, McDonald fired 14 winners against 28 unforced errors, earning 60 percent of the points on his first serve.
Eyeing to become the first player to win 25 Grand Slam tournaments in history, he outlined: “I always try to make history where I can. In all the tournaments I play, all the practices, and all the matches, especially during the biggest tournaments in the world.
“There is an opportunity to make more history, and that is one of the biggest motivations I have for competitions, for continuing to work and better myself.”