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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