DEFENDING champion Novak Djokovic cruised into the second of the French Open yesterday, as the world number one returned to Grand Slam tennis for the first time this year.

Djokovic thumped 99th-ranked Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier.

The Serb, who turned 35 on Sunday, is playing his first major since losing the US Open final last September.

His attempt to defend his Australian Open title in January ended in chaos and controversy when he was deported for refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccination.

In a chilly and damp Paris yesterday, Djokovic took his record in first round matches to 18-0 at Roland Garros with his win over Nishioka, after converting eight of 18 break points.

The top seed will next meet either Argentina’s Federico Coria or Slovakia’s Alex Molcan.

Molcan, the runner-up in Lyon at the weekend, is coached by Marian Vajda – Djokovic’s former long-time coach. – AFP, May 24, 2022.