No first-round troubles for Djokovic at French Open as he extends his Grand Slam streak

Wednesday, 29 May 2024 at 22:00

Novak Djokovic is virtually unbeatable in the first round of Grand Slams and notched his 69th consecutive win in Round 1 matches since he turned 19. The Serb has been virtually unbeatable in the opening rounds throughout his career.

Despite doubts about his level in recent months and inconsistent results, the Serb's French Open debut was no problem for him. The 24-times Grand Slam champion took a smooth win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert, a talented French wild card entry.

The world No. 1 reached 69 consecutive first-round victories at a Grand Slam tournament. The last time he bowed out in the first round was at the 2006 Australian Open, when he was just 18 years old and lost in four sets to Patrick Goldstein. In addition, since then he has only twice had second round defeats (2008 Wimbledon and 2017 Australian Open.

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At the French Open in particular, the Serb has never been knocked out in the first round. In addition, he has consistently excelled at Roland Garros throughout his career, despite the dominance of Rafael Nadal. Djokovic won three titles, was runner-up four times and reached the semi-finals five other times, with a remarkable 92-16 (85%) record.

Djokovic will face Roberto Carballes Baena (No. 63) in the second round for the third time in his career, though never before on clay. Should he prevail, he will be in the third round at Roland Garros for the 19th consecutive time.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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