Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz Reach Second Round of 2023 French Open

• Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz reached the second round of the 2023 French Open
• They won their respective first-round matches in straight sets on Monday
• Djokovic and Alcaraz are in the same half of the draw and could meet in the semifinals

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are moving on to the second round of the 2023 French Open.

They opened their campaigns at Roland Garros with a bang, winning their respective matches in straight sets on Monday.

Djokovic claimed a convincing 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Djokovic’s return hurts Kovacevic

The two-time French Open champion blasted 41 winners and won 82 percent of his first serve points against Kovacevic, per Roland Garros.

What proved to be the difference in the match, however, was the former world No. 1’s return.

Djokovic won 45 percent of his receiving points against Kovacevic, with the Serbian star converting five of his 12 break-point opportunities.

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He will next face Marton Fucsovics in the second round. Fucsovics defeated Hugo Grenier 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 in the first round in Paris on Sunday.

Alcaraz beats Cobolli

Alcaraz progressed to the second round after beating Flavio Cobolli, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5. The Spaniard needed just one hour and 57 minutes to record the first-round win.

The world No. 1 cruised through the first two sets, dropping just two games, per BBC. He eventually took his fifth match point after his Italian opponent had threatened to force a fourth set.

Alcaraz was far from perfect in his first-round match, committing more unforced errors than winners (30-26).

He also made just 57 percent of his first serves.

Alcaraz will next face Taro Daniel in the second round. The Japanese star defeated Christopher O’Connell 6-0, 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round.

Daniel won 55 percent of his receiving points and converted seven of his ten break-point chances.

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Fognini upsets Auger-Aliassime

Sports Brief recently reported on Fabio Fognini’s upset win in the first round of the French Open.

The Italian defeated 10th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Fognini secured his first top-10 win at Roland Garros.