Novak Djokovic vs. Joao Sousa: Score and Recap from 2014 French Open

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: May 26, 2014

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Inclement weather put him on pause—twice. It just seems nothing can stop Novak Djokovic's machine-like domination of the clay-court season for long.

Djokovic earned his 33rd straight first-round victory in a Grand Slam on Monday, toppling unseeded Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 at the French Open. The second-seeded Serb played 110 minutes of match time, which doesn't include a roughly hour-long wait caused by rain in the first set.  

The break mattered little to Djokovic, who overpowered Sousa with his serve and a series of hard-driving returns. Though it is statistically his worst Grand Slam, Djokovic has never lost a Round 1 match at Roland Garros as a professional.

Sousa was not about to be the first. He was, however, a far more formidable opponent than the final line suggested. Unintimidated by the former world No. 1, Sousa fought admirably in his first serve and did not fold when Djokovic forced him into silly mistakes.



The 25-year-old Portuguese, who made the third round at last year's U.S. Open, was particularly engaged after the rain delay—which perhaps allowed his nerves to calm a bit. Twice he held serve to take a 2-1 lead in the second set before Djokovic took control of the set—and, by proxy, of the match.

Djokovic swept the next four games, the last of which was delayed by another short rain delay, to win the second set 6-2. It was less convincing than Sousa's two spot, but it highlighted Djokovic's ability to take over a match with both his serve and return. The world No. 2 won 83 percent of his first serves in the set and at different points crept near the 200 kmh mark.

The third set largely held to form. Sousa pushed Djokovic to near his breaking point, and Djokovic responded by drubbing all hope just in time; the final game tally serves as a poor representation of the contest's competitiveness.



Djokovic, who thriv...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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