Novak Djokovic began his French Open title defence with a solid if not spectacular victory over home hope Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Serbia's Djokovic, 37, upped his level when it mattered to win 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 in Tuesday's night session at Roland Garros.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will take sole ownership of the record of most major titles with a fourth victory on the Paris clay.
But he has come into the event in uncertain form.
Djokovic has endured a turbulent season, having been far from his lofty heights and not yet reaching a final.
Playing in Geneva last week was a sign he wanted to build rhythm and confidence before heading to the French Open, saying when he arrived that he had "low expectations but high hopes".
Therefore, it was intriguing to see how Djokovic looked against 142nd-ranked wildcard Herbert.
Latest Stories
-
I was suspended in SHS after making a dance video with my uniform – Lisa Quama
38 mins -
GTA gears up for National Tourism Awards 2024
41 mins -
Prof. Gyampo criticises vacating of MP seats due to cross-carpeting
3 hours -
A critical examination of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling on potential breaches of Article 97(1)(G) and (H)
4 hours -
Trump calls 6 January ‘day of love’ when asked about Capitol riot
5 hours -
UTAG calls for immediate prosecution of persons arrested for engaging in galamsey
5 hours -
Prof Ransford Gyampo: And Speaker Bagbin declared 4 seats vacant…
5 hours -
Secret Service has ‘deep flaws’ and must overhaul leadership, report says
5 hours -
Kenya’s deputy president sacked while in hospital
6 hours -
One Direction ‘devastated’ at Liam Payne’s death
6 hours -
Ghana’s debt to ease to 70% of GDP in 2024; another debt default unlikely – Fitch
6 hours -
Meta fires staff for buying toothpaste, not lunch
6 hours -
U-20 AFCON 2025Q: Afriyie’s brace earns Ghana draw against Benin
6 hours -
US ‘click to cancel’ rule to ban subscription traps
6 hours -
Speaker is completely out of order; he is wrong on this ruling – K.T Hammond
6 hours