PARIS — Serbia’s top-seeded Novak Djokovic overcame a brief bout of nerves in the second set before beating 14-times French Open champion Rafael Nadal 6-1 6-4 at the Paris Olympics on Monday and moving into the third round.
His counterpart in the women’s draw, world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland had an even easier morning, crushing France’s Diane Parry 6-1 6-1 to book her own third round spot.
While Mr. Djokovic remains in the hunt for his elusive Olympic gold, Spain’s Mr. Nadal now has only the doubles competition left to add to his two Olympic gold medals, partnering Carlos Alcaraz. Mr. Djokovic led 6-1 4-0 before a Nadal comeback attempt that saw him briefly level 4-4.
“I was just very proud to be part of this match and … I wanted to do my job on the court and really execute the game plan as much as I possibly can,” Mr. Djokovic said.
Mr. Alcaraz was also in action in the singles but was never seriously pressured in his 6-1 7-6 victory over Dutch opponent Tallon Griekspoor. Eighth-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas punched his ticket for the next round, with the Greek finding even less resistance in his 6-1 6-2 victory over Britain’s Daniel Evans.
Sixth seed Casper Ruud of Norway was made to work harder in his three-set win over Italy’s Andrea Vavassori.
In the women’s draw Ms. Swiatek was joined in the next round by Czech Barbora Krejcikova, the new Wimbledon champion, who advanced with a straight sets victory over China’s Wang Xinyu as did American Coco Gauff, beating Argentine Maria Lourdes Carle 6-1 6-1.
But all eyes were on the Nadal-Djokovic showdown with the crowd desperate to see the world’s best claycourt player make one last one run in Paris even though his best playing days are long behind him.
At age 37, Mr. Djokovic, with 24 Grand Slam singles titles to Nadal’s 22, has remained more competitive than his injury-plagued opponent. He left nothing to chance in a flawless display over a set and a half. — Reuters
