French Open 2025: Novak Djokovic Blitzes Past McDonald To Reach Second Round

Last Updated:May 27, 2025, 22:19 IST

Novak Djokovic began his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open, defeating Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Novak Djokovic (Picture credit: AP)

Novak Djokovic began his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open on Tuesday with a convincing performance.

The 38-year-old Djokovic faced little difficulty in defeating 98th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, just three days after becoming only the third man to win 100 ATP titles with his victory in Geneva.

“I don’t know how many more Grand Slams I’ve got left in my body," said Djokovic, seeded sixth and playing in Paris for the first time since winning Olympic gold last August. “I’m just trying to enjoy every moment in this magnificent stadium."

The three-time French Open champion had a rough start to the clay-court season, losing his opening matches in both Monte Carlo and Madrid. However, he was dominant against McDonald, with his only setback being a failure to serve out the second set in the eighth game.

Djokovic, who withdrew due to injury before the quarter-finals in 2024, will face either Corentin Moutet or Clement Tabur of France in the second round.

Djokovic is in the same half of the draw as world number one Jannik Sinner and last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev, who defeated American teenager Learner Tien 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

World number three Zverev aims to go a step further than last year when he lost the final to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets, marking his third defeat in as many Grand Slam finals.

Zverev’s preparation for the tournament was less than ideal after his plane was struck by lightning en route to Paris following a last-16 loss in Hamburg.

The 19-year-old Tien, who had knocked out Daniil Medvedev on his way to the Australian Open last 16 in January, was overpowered on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Zverev, who has reached at least the semi-finals in each of the last four French Opens, will next face Dutchman Jesper de Jong.

(with agency inputs)

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