Novak Djokovic triumphs in his first match at the Italian Open

Novak Djokovic made a triumphant return to the court at the Italian Open, defeating French qualifier Corentin Moutet in straight sets. Despite a slow start, Djokovic managed to find his rhythm and secure a 6-3, 6-1 victory in his first match since the Monte Carlo Masters.

The world No. 1 admitted that it took him some time to adjust to Moutet’s left-handed style of play, but once he settled in, he was able to showcase his skills. Djokovic, who is aiming to defend his title at the French Open later this month, emphasized the importance of getting some clay court practice in Rome, a tournament he has won six times in the past.

In a light-hearted moment during the match, Moutet’s phone alarm went off, prompting a humorous exchange between the players and drawing laughter from the crowd. Despite the interruption, Djokovic remained focused and ultimately cruised to victory.

With this win, Djokovic extended his unbeaten record in opening matches in Rome to 18-0. He will now face Alejandro Tabilo in the next round as he continues his quest for another title in the Italian capital.

Meanwhile, other top players like Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, and Grigor Dimitrov also advanced in the tournament, setting the stage for some exciting matchups in the coming days. However, the event saw some notable withdrawals, including Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner, leaving the host country without some of its key players.