Novak Djokovic eases past old foe Rafael Nadal

PARIS, July 29

Serbia’s top-seeded Novak Djokovic overcame a brief bout of nerves in the second set before beating 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal 6-1 6-4 at the Paris Olympics today and moving into the third round.

While Djokovic remains in the hunt for his elusive Olympics gold, Spain’s Nadal now has only the doubles competition left to add to his two Olympics gold medals, partnering Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic led 6-1 4-0 before a Nadal comeback attempt that saw him briefly level 4-4.

“I was just very proud to be part of this match and … I wanted to do my job on the court and really execute the game plan as much as I possibly can,” Djokovic said.

“So almost a perfect match, the 6-1 4-0. Then things got complicated, I started to hesitate a little bit on my shot he stepped in, the crowd got involved and for all, it was really anybody’s set, anybody’s game. Just very glad to overcome this incredible challenge.” Women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland had an even easier morning, crushing France’s Diane Parry 6-1 6-1 to book her own third round spot. Czech Barbora Krejcikova, the newly crowned Wimbledon champion, also advanced with a straight sets victory over China’s Wang Xinyu as did American Coco Gauff, beating Argentine Maria Lourdes Carle 6-1 6-1.

But all eyes were on the Nadal-Djokovic showdown with the crowd desperate to see the world’s best claycourt player make one last one run in Paris even though his best playing days are long behind him.

“I was not able to put him in difficult positions,” Nadal said. “I was not able to have enough quality shots, enough quality of movements. Playing against Novak without creating damage to him and without having the legs of 20 years ago is almost impossible.”

Nadal will decide whether to retire following the Olympics. The 38-year-old has dropped to 161st in the world rankings after struggling for two years with injuries. — Reuters