Former champion Novak Djokovic progressed to the third round of the French Open after a 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Jaume Munar on Wednesday, while Alexander Zverev was pushed all the way.
Djokovic hit 39 winners, but his 33 unforced errors saw his serve broken three times as Munar stayed in the contest. Djokovic needed a tie-break to win the first set. He lost his serve in the second set, but his experience counted as he broke Munar’s serve twice to win the set 6-4.
The third set was more comfortable for Djokovic as he had to save just one break-point. He broke Munar’s serve in the seventh game and closed out the match with ease.
Djokovic will face Roberto Bautista Agut in the next round.
Second seed Zverev needed five sets to advance. He came back from 2-1 down to beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. He will face Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur in the next round.
Fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov had to endure a marathon fifth set to overcome Jared Donaldson 6-7 (1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. It was also a milestone for the Bulgarian who notched up his 50th Grand Slam victory.
Other selected men’s results:
Kei Nishikori defeated 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
David Goffin defeated Corentin Moutet 7-5, 6-0, 6-1
Gilles Simon defeated Sam Querrey 1-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-1
Jeremy Chardy defeated Tomas Berdych 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8), 1-6, 5-7, 6-2
In the women’s, singles world No 1 Simona Halep looked anything but her best when she lost the first set 6-2 in her match against Alison Riske, but she came storming back, winning the next two sets 6-1, 6-1 to book her place in the next round.
Second seed Caroline Wozniacki hardly broke a sweat when she defeated Georgina Garcia-Perez 6-1, 6-0 to advance.
Fourth seed Elina Svitolina also advanced after a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Viktoria Kuzmova.
Other selected women’s results:
Sloane Stephens defeated Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-2
Petra Kvitova defeated Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino 6-0, 6-4
Barbora Strycova defeated Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 6-2
Madison Keys defeated Caroline Dolehide 6-4, 6-1
