Muguruza, Djokovic ease into second round

Novak Djokovic and Garbine Muguruza made flying starts in their title defence as they eased into the second round of the men's and women's singles categories respectively of the French Open tennis championships here on Monday.

The second-seeded Djokovic of Serbia recorded a convincing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Spanish Marcel Granollers in two hours and 27 minutes in front of his new coach Andre Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam singles winner, reports Xinhua news agency.

Djokovic celebrated his victory by waving along with several ball boys at the centre of the Philippe-Chatrier Court.

The Serbian is bidding to become the first man to have won each of the four Grand Slams at least twice in the Open Era. He will next face Joao Sousa of Portugal in the second round.

Women's singles title-holder Muguruza of Spain overcame Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-4.

"It was a tough first match," commented Muguruza after her maiden victory in the 2017 edition of the tournament.

For her, the 2010 champion and 2011 runner-up Schiavone had many unbelievable moments. The fourth-seeded Spanish called the 36-year-old Schiavone a legend in an on-court interview after the game.

"She has been in the tour for such a long time. When I look back on some videos, I heard her name. She's still playing, and fitter than most of the players," Muguruza said of Schiavone.

"I think she loves it. She kind of enjoys out there," added the Spanish star, who will meet Anett Kontaveit of Estonia.

Meanwhile, Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic started his journey at the 2017 French Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Belgian Steve Darcis in an hour and a half, reports Efe.

Roberto Bautista, seeded 17th, also moved to the second round after beating Australian John Millman 6-2, 6-2, 0-6, 6-1.

Bautista reached the fourth round of the 2016 French Open and achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No.13 in October 2016.

His next opponent will be Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin, who in the first round beat American Tennys Sandgren, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

--IANS

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