French Open 2018: Novak Djokovic dominates in Roland Garros opener; Wawrinka out as rain saves Nadal

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Paris, May 28: Novak Djokovic made short work of Rogerio Dutra Silva as he secured a spot in round two of the French Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Meanwhile, inclement weather meant Simone Bolelli's fightback against defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal was halted in its tracks in the third set.

Nadal, seeking a remarkable 11th singles crown at Roland Garros, was not quite at his belligerent best in this first-round encounter on Court Philippe Chatrier but managed to take the first two sets before play was suspended with his match locked at 6-4, 6-3, 0-3.

Earlier, Djokovic, the 2016 champion, a quarter-finalist in Paris 12 months ago, has been slowly working his way back to form in the build-up to Roland Garros amid a largely disappointing season blighted by an elbow injury.

And Djokovic, seeded 20th, was a class above his unfancied Brazilian opponent – who, to his credit, had his moments and broke three times – in the French capital, controlling points from the baseline and showing neat touches around the court.

The 12-time grand slam champion can now prepare for a clash with either David Ferrer or Jaume Munar.

Dutra Silva made a great start when a sloppy Djokovic slipped from 0-30 to gift his opponent the first break, only for the former world number one to soon dominate from the middle of the court and hit back in game four with a fine forehand his opponent could only return into the net.

Another chance for Djokovic came and went after a well-controlled smash set up break point in game six, but he did not have to wait long for another break and a 5-3 lead - a drop backhand volley at the net swiftly followed by Dutra Silva going long.

The second set started in identical fashion with Djokovic broken at the first time of asking, but Dutra Silva relinquished the advantage immediately.

Djokovic broke again for a 3-1 lead with a vintage cross-court backhand setting up the opportunity, and - although a phenomenal backhand in game 10 gave Dutra Silva the chance to break back - it was soon a two-set lead.

The writing appeared well and truly on the wall when Djokovic broke for a 3-2 lead in the third, Dutra Silva rushing into a missed forehand before netting a backhand on break point.

Dutra Silva made a fist of it by levelling at 4-4, but once again Djokovic broke straight back before serving out for the match at the first time of asking.

Wawrinka out

Later, A visibly struggling Stan Wawrinka put up a valiant effort but eventually lost to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the opening round.

The 2015 champion, who made the final against Rafael Nadal 12 months ago, entered Roland Garros under an injury cloud after continuing to have issues with his left knee.

He underwent surgery last year to hopefully correct the issue, but has played sporadically so far during the 2018 season.

Wawrinka fought back from losing the first set to take the lead on Monday, only for Garcia-Lopez to hit back and secure a 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 triumph.

Wozniacki through, Azarenka bows out

In the women's singles, Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova were among the first-round winners at the French Open on Monday, although Victoria Azarenka fell at the opening hurdle.

Australian Open champion Wozniacki overcame a nervy start to defeat Danielle Collins 7-6 (7-2) 6-1, while Kvitova was forced to come from behind as she saw off Veronica Cepede Royg 3-6, 6-1, 7-5.

Azarenka could not join them in round two, however, as the former world number one and two-time Australian Open winner went down 7-5, 7-5 to Katerina Siniakova.

Second seed Wozniacki is through to face Georgina Garcia-Perez, who ousted Dalila Jakupovic in straight sets, while Kvitova's next challenge takes the form of Lara Arruabarrena, conqueror of Timea Babos.

Rain late on Monday meant two-time champion Maria Sharapova's match with Richel Hogenkamp was postponed until the following day, when Serena Williams will make her grand slam return against Kristyna Pliskova.

While Azarenka has been involved in a draining custody battle for her son Leo, the Belarusian felt her build-up to Roland Garros had been good. So, her disappointment was even more sharply felt as she suffered a first-round exit.

"I had some good practice days finally after Rome, but it didn't come out on the court today," said Azarenka. "Obviously, losing a first round is very disappointing. Even though I'm doing good things in practice, I am not able to transfer it to the match.

"I really need to kind of take a look of what I can do better. This French Open is done and it's very disappointing, but I can have some time to prepare now and take another two weeks to do a little bit of more, pre-season training which I really, really need."

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

Wozniacki [2] bt Collins 7-6 (7-2) 6-1

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Wozniacki - 20/13 Collins - 19/41

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Wozniacki - 5/3 Collins -0/2

BREAK POINTS WON Wozniacki - 5/7 Collins - 2/4

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Wozniacki - 64 Collins - 67

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Wozniacki - 66/56 Collins - 55/31

TOTAL POINTS Wozniacki - 76 Collins - 56

Djokovic [20] bt Dutra Silva 6-3 6-4 6-4

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Djokovic – 27/29 Dutra Silva – 14/23

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Djokovic – 3/1 Dutra Silva – 2/3

BREAK POINTS WON Djokovic – 6/11 Dutra Silva – 3/7

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Djokovic – 69 Dutra Silva – 70

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Djokovic – 73/54 Dutra Silva – 59/33

TOTAL POINTS Djokovic – 106 Dutra Silva – 80

Source: OPTA