Novak Djokovic continues to keep expectations low for the French Open after an encouraging performance on Thursday. Djokovic easily defeated Spanish player Roberto Cabales Baena 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 in Paris to advance to the third round.
“I didn’t want to do too much today because I wasn’t in good shape to prepare for the French Open,” Djokovic said. “So I have to lower my expectations a little bit.
Of course, hope, faith and faith are always there, always high, I always aim for the highest stars so to speak. But I’m very aware of the situation and what I need to do every day to build my form as the game goes on, hopefully, and then peak at the right time when it matters most.
Recently, David Goffin and Iga Swiatek complained about the unruly behavior of Paris fans, and Djokovic was criticized for shouting at a rally before Djokovic hit the ball. Kovic got into a fight with a spectator in the front row of the Stade Philippe Chatrier. Djokovic said he supported Goffin’s violent reaction after facing abuse from French Partizan fans.
“When that line is crossed and it starts to become disrespectful to players, that’s a fine line,” Djokovic said. “In those situations, I understand the reaction of a player like Goffin the other day because I have been through these special situations many times. So I support a player standing up to those who disrespect and question him. It’s not always tolerated. It’s certainly necessary because you don’t want to spend unnecessary energy elsewhere, but sometimes you have to deal with people questioning you and that’s all you can do.
Alexander Zverev followed up his victory over Rafael Nadal with a 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-2 victory over Goffin to advance to the second round. Zverev’s win means he will remain in the tournament as his public trial for alleged physical abuse of former partner Brenda Patia begins in Berlin on Friday. The 27-year-old does not need to attend the trial, but the judge can summon him with a week’s notice. Zverev was initially fined a total of €450,000 (£392,000). Zverev challenged the penalty order and the case entered a public trial. Zverev denies the accusations.
Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said Zverev would be free to compete as long as no decision is made at the trial. Meanwhile, the ATP has still not released the results of a safeguards review conducted in 2021 after another of Zverev’s ex-girlfriends, Olga Sharypova, came forward with abuse allegations.
Daniil Medvedev after Miomir Kecmanovic withdrew after trailing 6-1, 5-0 Entering the third round, Paula Badosa defeated Yulia Putintseva 4-6, 6-1, 7-5, and her close friend Alina Sa Aryna Sabalenka met, and the latter easily advanced to defeat Uchijima Moyuka 6-2, 6-2. Badosa then took issue with Swiatek’s criticism of the French crowd following Wednesday’s win over Naomi Osaka.
“I don’t think she can complain because I play on courts eight and nine and you can hear everything,” Badosa said. “Like, I can hear [Courts] Suzanne-Lenglen, Philippe-Chatrier, Court 6, Court 7 during the game. I think she’s lucky that she gets to play on Philippe-Chatrier all the time, and she agrees with that. But I don’t mind. Like I said, I play on smaller courts these days and hear a lot of noise. At that moment, I was just so focused on myself and my game that it didn’t really bother me. Honestly, I love things like fans cheering. I think I’m excited.
The good news for Swiatek, who remains the tournament favorite, is that ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko lost 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 Denmark’s Clara Tauson. Ostapenko holds a 4-0 record against the Pole and defeated her at last year’s U.S. Open. On Thursday, in-form Danielle Collins was also beaten, losing 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4 to Serbian Olga Danilovic. Danilovic).
