without completely convincing, Novak Djokovic dismisses Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round

World number 1, the 37-year-old Serbian won in three sets on Central Court, against the French wild-card holder, on Tuesday.

No bad surprises for the title holder. For his debut at Roland-Garros this year, Novak Djokovic dominated Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in three sets (6-4, 7-6 [7-3], 6-4), Tuesday May 28. Continuing his participation in the ATP 250 in Geneva last week, the world No. 1 sought to reassure himself, as he arrived at Porte d’Auteuil in poor shape and without having played any final of the season: a first since 2018 for him.

A mission only partly accomplished in this first round against the Alsatian (142nd), invited by the organization of the tournament. Very solid on his serve in the first set (3 points conceded out of 23), the Serb was disturbed by his opponent throughout the second, regularly appearing too far from the balls to intervene, he who is usually so mobile. At the same time, the 33-year-old Habs showed resistance on the Central by going to the net to hinder the champion’s throw-in.

But “Djoko” found himself in the tie-break, when he finally celebrated his points with rage until taking this second set. A way of responding to the public who had launched: “It’s cooked!” to “P2H” to motivate him. He finally folded the matter after a new standoff in the third act after 2h31 of play, on a double fault from the Frenchman.

“Pierre-Hugues served very well in the second and third sets. I couldn’t find the right position to respond. But it was important to stay focused in the important moments. If he had won the second set, it would have been different with the atmosphere I played my best tennis, I think, in the tie-break.rejoiced “Nole” on the Parisian ocher at the end of the meeting.

And added at a press conference: “I don’t want to get too excited, I’m happy with my feelings on the court but it’s only the beginning, let’s see how it develops.” After this opposition against a player often hampered by injuries and who has not beaten a member of the top 10 since 2021, the man at the 24 Majors will have to continue his rise in power in the next round. It will be against the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, who defeated the Frenchman Constant Lestienne (6-3, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2).