PARIS — Novak Djokovic extended his perfect season right into the French Open, beating Thiemo de Bakker 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 Monday in the first round.
The second-seeded Serb improved his 2011 record to 38-0 — and stretched his winning streak to 40 — on the second day of the tournament at Roland Garros. And he barely broke a sweat doing it, breaking his Dutch opponent six times.
Djokovic walked out onto center court as the co-favorite after beating Rafael Nadal in two clay-court finals leading up to the French Open. He could only meet Nadal in the final at Roland Garros, and if he does he will be assured of taking over the No. 1 ranking from the Spaniard regardless of that result.
“Pressure is always there,” said Djokovic, who turned 24 on Sunday. “I know there is a lot of expectations because of the streak I have, but, look, I’m really happy the way I’m handling things right now on and off the court.”
Nadal, who is looking for his sixth French Open title, doesn’t get on court until Tuesday, but 2009 champion Roger Federer is scheduled to play Feliciano Lopez of Spain later Monday.
Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki will also play on the second day of the tournament. The Dane was to face 40-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan.
In the opening match on center court, defending champion Francesca Schiavone bounced back to her winning ways by beating Melanie Oudin of the United States 6-2, 6-0.
No. 3 Vera Zvonareva of Russia, No. 28 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and No. 30 Roberta Vinci of Italy also advanced, while No. 26 Nadia Petrova of Russia, No. 31 Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic lost.
In the men’s draw, No. 12 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, No. 15 Viktor Troicki of Serbia, No. 23 Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil and No. 25 Juan Martin del Potro all reached the second round.