Rafael Nadal, for his return to competition after more than six months of forced hiatus, and Novak Djokovic, ten days after his disqualification from the US Open, managed a flawless return to the clay of the Masters 1000 in Rome.
With less than two weeks of Roland-Garros exceptionally rescheduled in the fall, "Rafa" quickly raised the questions that could arise about his state of form by easily dominating (6-1, 6-1) his compatriot Pablo Carreno ( 18th world), maybe a little tired from his magnificent course at the US Open (semi-finalist).
In search of a tenth coronation in Rome (while waiting to aim for a twentieth Grand Slam in Paris to join Roger Federer), the world No.2 has shown that he has not lost any of his qualities.
Aggressive on his serve and tireless in defense, he only conceded one break point (saved) to Carreno.
Pointing to the “madness” of this schedule of resumption after the months of hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, with back-to-back the US Open (which ended on Sunday) and Roland-Garros (from September 27), each preceded by a Masters 1000 (Cincinnati and Rome), Rafael Nadal had given up on the American mini-tour.
His last official match therefore went back to the final won at the Acapulco tournament (Mexico) at the end of February.
"Djoker" gentleman
A successful return to clay for Djokovic in Rome.
Novak Djokovic, in redemption operation after his gesture of humor in New York synonymous with the first defeat in 2020, for his part displayed an unfailing serenity to dispose of the Italian Salvatore Caruso (6-3, 6-2).
Fair play, solid, player, "Djoko", who assured Monday to have learned the "lesson" after his elimination for having involuntarily thrown a ball on a linesman, was obviously keen to show his best face.
Mischievous, once the qualification in his pocket, he greeted an imaginary crowd facing the empty stands of the central court because of health measures.
The "Djoker" was more gentleman than ever, with the referee when he got down from his chair to take away a point he thought he had obtained, as with his opponent whom he gave with a thumbs-up afterwards. a great race.
Only one of the few spectators, a member of the organization a little too noisy in the stand, made him lose his composure at the start of the second set, when he had just let slip several break points.
Sinner bites Tsitsipas
“In fact, I couldn't wait to make an official game again after what happened in New York,” Djokovic commented at a press conference.
“I didn't have any psychic or emotional blockages from playing a game today.
On the contrary, I felt very comfortable, everything was very good ”, assured the world No. 1, who developed a solid game, in the tradition of the United States, where he won the Masters 1000. from Cincinnati and was a favorite at the US Open before he got off the road.
“Djoko”, who played nine finals in Rome (for four titles), will meet his compatriot Filip Krajinovic (29th worldwide) in the third round.
The post-US Open landing was more painful for the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded N.3, released from the start by the young Italian Jannik Sinner (1-6, 7-6, 2-6).
“When you are young you can improve a lot,” observed Sinner, 19, who last year in Rome lost in the second round to the same Tsitsipas.
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Calendar and results of the Rome tournament