Wednesday cover: Rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal begin French Open collision course

The National's Sport cover for the Wednesday, May 27 issue, featuring Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as they got started at the French Open.

World No 1 Djokovic breezed by Jarkko Nieminen 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 to set up a second round match with either Gilles Muller or Paolo Lorenzi, who had their level 2-2 match interrupted on Tuesday night. Nadal meanwhile is set to face countryman Nicolas Almagro, who he's already beaten twice this year, in his second round match after blowing by 18-year-old French wild card Quentin Halys 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

“This year I’m playing very well so far and I hope I will get the confidence I have had since the beginning of the year,” said Djokovic after his win.

Nadal for his part thought he felt strong.

“I played well. I changed direction with my forehands down the line. After the first three games I was moving better,” he said.

“I am here to play well and compete. That is my mentality and the goal is always the same.”

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