Djokovic won 11 games in a row, taking the first and second sets. PHOTO: AFP
Novak Djokovic’s French Open credentials were given the lightest of examinations in a 6-2, 6-0, 6-2 second-round win over Argentina’a Guido Pella.
The world number one had the stronger weapons and pushed his opponent on to the back foot with his superior courtcraft in a match that lasted just one hour and 26 minutes after being delayed by rain and then halted again when the downpours returned.
After the players traded blows at the start of the match, Djokovic won 11 games in a row, taking the first and second sets.
The crowd rose in unison to applaud the 101st-ranked Pella when he won a game in the second game of the third set but it was a short-lived reprieve as the Serb closed the match out.
Li Na crashes out
In the women’s draw, China’s only grand slam singles champion Li Na was bundled out of the French Open by American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, losing a rain-interrupted match 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.
Sixth-seed Li, who became a flagbearer for Asian tennis in 2011 when she won the French Open, edged the first set but after two lengthy rain breaks her game fell apart.
On the other hand, Serena Williams was pleased after ‘getting the job done’ after she cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win over French teenager Caroline Garcia, conceding just seven points on her serve.
The 31-year-old American, who will face Romania’s Sorana Cristea, the 26th seed, for a place in the last-16, has dropped just four games in two rounds.
“I felt I was doing well, being serious and getting the job done,” said Serena. “I like the clay here, I like to slide.”
Her 26th consecutive win in 2013 is only nine behind the record of 35 set by sister Venus in 2000.
In stark contrast, Danish 10th-seed Caroline Wozniacki, a former world number one, went down 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 to Serbian world number 47 Bojana Jovanovski, who had defeated her in Rome two weeks ago.
Wozniacki had only snapped a five-match losing streak in the first round in Paris when she beat Britain’s Laura Robson.
“It hasn’t been the best clay season this year,” she admitted. “I guess it’s good that it’s the last tournament.”
Elsewhere, former women’s runner-up Samantha Stosur reached the third round with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic.
The Australian next faces 18th-seed Jelena Jankovic in a repeat of their 2010 semi-final after the Serbian won 12 successive games to beat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-0.
‘Hard work paying off’ for Federer
Meanwhile, Roger Federer won his 56th French Open match as the former champion showed no mercy to hapless opponents at Roland Garros.
Federer, the second seed, trounced Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman, ranked 188 in the world, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 and next faces France’s Julien Benneteau.
The Swiss great’s latest French Open victory took him to 56, just two behind the tournament record held jointly by Guillermo Vilas and Nicola Pietrangeli.
“It’s great that all the work is paying off and I hope to keep experiencing this as long as possible,” said the 2009 champion. “I definitely think the next match is going to be a big test for me to see exactly where I stand.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2013.
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