After fickle Parisian weather and the exploits of a French heroine kept Novak Djokovic waiting to make his bow at Roland Garros on Tuesday, the world number one began his quest to complete his grand slam collection in style with victory over David Goffin.
Home favourite Marian Bartoli saved two match points in a rain-interrupted three-hour triumph against Olga Govortsova, rewarding the patience of the fans who sat huddled under grey November-like skies for much of the day.
Bartoli’s 7-6 (8) 4-6 7-5 victory meant it was touch and go whether Djokovic’s tricky first-round match against Goffin would be completed but, once he got into his stride, the top-seeded Serb chiselled a 7-6 (5) 6-4 7-5 win.
Play did not start at the allotted 1100 local time and, even when the green covers were hauled off the damp red clay back at lunchtime, only 90 minutes were possible before another rain delay sent fans and players scuttling for shelter.
Eleven singles matches were cancelled and three failed to finish meaning the first round will now span four days, once again raising questions about the tournament’s decision to play only a partial schedule on the opening Sunday.
“At the moment it’s not under consideration, it’s not something that’s been talked about,” a tournament spokesman said.
