Djokovic: The King Keeps Rolling
At 38, Novak Djokovic is still chasing history, and he kicked off his 2025 French Open campaign with a solid 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over American Mackenzie McDonald. The guy’s got 24 Grand Slam titles under his belt, including three at Roland Garros (2016, 2021, 2023), and he’s hungry for No. 25. This season hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Novak—early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid, a no-show in Rome, and a coaching split with Andy Murray raised some eyebrows. But after reaching the Geneva final recently, he looked sharp against McDonald.
The match on Court Philippe-Chatrier wasn’t a walk in the park at first. Gusty winds made things tricky early on, with both players struggling to find their groove. Once the roof closed, though, Djokovic locked in. His backhand was like a laser, and his defense? Classic Novak chasing down every ball like it’s personal. McDonald, ranked outside the top 50, hung in there and had some decent moments, but he couldn’t match Djokovic’s consistency. A slick return forced an error from McDonald to seal the deal in just over two hours.
Djokovic’s got a decent draw for the next couple of rounds maybe Corentin Moutet or Denis Shapovalov next but things could get spicy later with Alexander Zverev or Jannik Sinner looming. After the match, Novak sounded pumped: “It’s great to be back at Roland Garros with friends. Every Grand Slam moment is special, and I’ve got some awesome memories here from the Olympics last year.” He’s looking fit and focused, but at his age, those five-set marathons could test him. For now, the King of tennis is off to a great start.
Sonay Kartal: Britain’s New Star Steals the Show
Over on Court 9, 23-year-old Sonay Kartal made her French Open main-draw debut one to remember, absolutely steamrolling Russia’s Erika Andreeva 6-0, 6-2 in just 62 minutes. Talk about a statement! Kartal, ranked just inside the top 100, played like she belonged on the big stage, hammering aggressive shots from the baseline and staying cool as a cucumber. The first set was a total wipeout Andreeva didn’t win a single game, coughing up 15 unforced errors. The Russian fought back a bit in the second set, but Kartal was just too good, breaking serve three times and wrapping it up with ease.
Kartal’s been on a tear this year, picking up wins at WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome and shining in the Billie Jean King Cup. She’s faced Andreeva before, beating her in Wimbledon qualifying last year, and this match was more of the same. “Kartal’s just too strong Andreeva looks completely lost out there,” a BBC Sport commentator said, and they weren’t wrong. Kartal’s power and confidence were on full display, and British fans are buzzing about their new favorite.
Next up, Kartal’s got a tougher challenge, but she’s got the game to keep surprising people. A potential third-round showdown with No. 2 seed Coco Gauff could be on the horizon they met at Wimbledon last year, and Gauff won that one. For now, Kartal’s debut is a huge win for British tennis, especially with Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter also making noise. This kid’s got heart, and she’s proving she can hang with the best on clay.
Jack Draper: Down but Not Out
Meanwhile, Jack Draper, Britain’s top guy and the No. 5 seed, hit a rough patch on Court Suzanne-Lenglen against Italy’s Mattia Bellucci. The 23-year-old has been a breakout star this year, reaching the Madrid Open final and Rome quarterfinals, but Bellucci, ranked No. 68, came out swinging. The Italian took the first set 6-3, catching Draper off guard with tricky serves, including an underarm one, and some clever lobs. A double fault from Draper early on didn’t help, and Bellucci raced to a 5-1 lead before closing out the set.
Draper didn’t roll over, though. In the second set, he found his mojo, ripping a massive forehand and breaking Bellucci’s serve to go up 3-0. “Draper’s in his groove now,” BBC Sport noted, and you could feel the momentum shifting as he started bossing points. The closed roof helped, too, cutting out the wind that had been messing with his game. But Bellucci’s no pushover he saved break points with a killer ace and kept the pressure on. At the latest update, Draper was fighting back in the second set but still trailing overall.
This isn’t the first time Draper’s struggled at Roland Garros he lost in the first round last year to Jesper de Jong. Facing Bellucci, whom he beat easily in Tokyo last year, was supposed to be a confidence booster, but the Italian’s playing with fire. Draper’s draw doesn’t get easier, with Gaël Monfils possibly waiting in the second round and Jannik Sinner in the quarters. If he can turn this match around, it’ll show the kind of grit that’s made him a top-five player. If not, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but at 23, he’s got plenty of time to bounce back.
What’s It All Mean?
The French Open is always a wild ride, and these matches show why. Djokovic’s win is no shock, but it’s a reminder that he’s still got that champion’s mentality, even with a bumpy season and younger stars like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz breathing down his neck. His early draw looks manageable, but the real test comes later can he keep up the energy for two weeks of grueling clay-court tennis?
Kartal’s victory is huge for British tennis, which is having a moment right now. With Cameron Norrie pulling off a five-set upset over Daniil Medvedev and Jacob Fearnley knocking out Stan Wawrinka, the Brits are making waves. Kartal’s confidence on clay a surface that’s not exactly a British specialty makes her one to watch. She’s got the tools to go deep, and a win like this only builds her belief.
Draper’s struggles, on the other hand, are a reality check. Being a top seed comes with pressure, and Bellucci’s fearless play exposed some cracks. Still, Draper’s shown he can handle big moments this year, and if he can dig himself out of this hole, it’ll be a massive boost. A loss wouldn’t be the end of the world he’s young, and clay’s a tough surface but it’d sting for a guy with such high expectations.
What’s Next?
As the French Open rolls on, all eyes will be on whether Djokovic can keep his chase for No. 25 alive. Kartal’s got a chance to make more noise in the second round, and British fans will be cheering her on. Draper’s got work to do to flip his match, but if anyone can pull off a comeback, it’s him. With Rafael Nadal retired and the “King of Clay” title up for grabs, this tournament feels wide open. Sinner, Alcaraz, and even underdogs like Kartal could shake things up. For now, Djokovic and Kartal are flying high, while Draper’s fighting to keep his hopes alive Roland Garros is delivering drama, and we’re only just getting started.
At 38, Novak Djokovic is still chasing history, and he kicked off his 2025 French Open campaign with a solid 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over American Mackenzie McDonald. The guy’s got 24 Grand Slam titles under his belt, including three at Roland Garros (2016, 2021, 2023), and he’s hungry for No. 25. This season hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Novak—early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid, a no-show in Rome, and a coaching split with Andy Murray raised some eyebrows. But after reaching the Geneva final recently, he looked sharp against McDonald.
The match on Court Philippe-Chatrier wasn’t a walk in the park at first. Gusty winds made things tricky early on, with both players struggling to find their groove. Once the roof closed, though, Djokovic locked in. His backhand was like a laser, and his defense? Classic Novak chasing down every ball like it’s personal. McDonald, ranked outside the top 50, hung in there and had some decent moments, but he couldn’t match Djokovic’s consistency. A slick return forced an error from McDonald to seal the deal in just over two hours.
Djokovic’s got a decent draw for the next couple of rounds maybe Corentin Moutet or Denis Shapovalov next but things could get spicy later with Alexander Zverev or Jannik Sinner looming. After the match, Novak sounded pumped: “It’s great to be back at Roland Garros with friends. Every Grand Slam moment is special, and I’ve got some awesome memories here from the Olympics last year.” He’s looking fit and focused, but at his age, those five-set marathons could test him. For now, the King of tennis is off to a great start.
Sonay Kartal: Britain’s New Star Steals the Show
Over on Court 9, 23-year-old Sonay Kartal made her French Open main-draw debut one to remember, absolutely steamrolling Russia’s Erika Andreeva 6-0, 6-2 in just 62 minutes. Talk about a statement! Kartal, ranked just inside the top 100, played like she belonged on the big stage, hammering aggressive shots from the baseline and staying cool as a cucumber. The first set was a total wipeout Andreeva didn’t win a single game, coughing up 15 unforced errors. The Russian fought back a bit in the second set, but Kartal was just too good, breaking serve three times and wrapping it up with ease.
Kartal’s been on a tear this year, picking up wins at WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome and shining in the Billie Jean King Cup. She’s faced Andreeva before, beating her in Wimbledon qualifying last year, and this match was more of the same. “Kartal’s just too strong Andreeva looks completely lost out there,” a BBC Sport commentator said, and they weren’t wrong. Kartal’s power and confidence were on full display, and British fans are buzzing about their new favorite.
Next up, Kartal’s got a tougher challenge, but she’s got the game to keep surprising people. A potential third-round showdown with No. 2 seed Coco Gauff could be on the horizon they met at Wimbledon last year, and Gauff won that one. For now, Kartal’s debut is a huge win for British tennis, especially with Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter also making noise. This kid’s got heart, and she’s proving she can hang with the best on clay.
Meanwhile, Jack Draper, Britain’s top guy and the No. 5 seed, hit a rough patch on Court Suzanne-Lenglen against Italy’s Mattia Bellucci. The 23-year-old has been a breakout star this year, reaching the Madrid Open final and Rome quarterfinals, but Bellucci, ranked No. 68, came out swinging. The Italian took the first set 6-3, catching Draper off guard with tricky serves, including an underarm one, and some clever lobs. A double fault from Draper early on didn’t help, and Bellucci raced to a 5-1 lead before closing out the set.
Draper didn’t roll over, though. In the second set, he found his mojo, ripping a massive forehand and breaking Bellucci’s serve to go up 3-0. “Draper’s in his groove now,” BBC Sport noted, and you could feel the momentum shifting as he started bossing points. The closed roof helped, too, cutting out the wind that had been messing with his game. But Bellucci’s no pushover he saved break points with a killer ace and kept the pressure on. At the latest update, Draper was fighting back in the second set but still trailing overall.
This isn’t the first time Draper’s struggled at Roland Garros he lost in the first round last year to Jesper de Jong. Facing Bellucci, whom he beat easily in Tokyo last year, was supposed to be a confidence booster, but the Italian’s playing with fire. Draper’s draw doesn’t get easier, with Gaël Monfils possibly waiting in the second round and Jannik Sinner in the quarters. If he can turn this match around, it’ll show the kind of grit that’s made him a top-five player. If not, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but at 23, he’s got plenty of time to bounce back.
What’s It All Mean?
The French Open is always a wild ride, and these matches show why. Djokovic’s win is no shock, but it’s a reminder that he’s still got that champion’s mentality, even with a bumpy season and younger stars like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz breathing down his neck. His early draw looks manageable, but the real test comes later can he keep up the energy for two weeks of grueling clay-court tennis?
Kartal’s victory is huge for British tennis, which is having a moment right now. With Cameron Norrie pulling off a five-set upset over Daniil Medvedev and Jacob Fearnley knocking out Stan Wawrinka, the Brits are making waves. Kartal’s confidence on clay a surface that’s not exactly a British specialty makes her one to watch. She’s got the tools to go deep, and a win like this only builds her belief.
Draper’s struggles, on the other hand, are a reality check. Being a top seed comes with pressure, and Bellucci’s fearless play exposed some cracks. Still, Draper’s shown he can handle big moments this year, and if he can dig himself out of this hole, it’ll be a massive boost. A loss wouldn’t be the end of the world he’s young, and clay’s a tough surface but it’d sting for a guy with such high expectations.
What’s Next?
As the French Open rolls on, all eyes will be on whether Djokovic can keep his chase for No. 25 alive. Kartal’s got a chance to make more noise in the second round, and British fans will be cheering her on. Draper’s got work to do to flip his match, but if anyone can pull off a comeback, it’s him. With Rafael Nadal retired and the “King of Clay” title up for grabs, this tournament feels wide open. Sinner, Alcaraz, and even underdogs like Kartal could shake things up. For now, Djokovic and Kartal are flying high, while Draper’s fighting to keep his hopes alive Roland Garros is delivering drama, and we’re only just getting started.
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