Novak Djokovic eases past Aleksandar Kovacevic at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic eased into the second round of the French Open with a 6-3 6-2 7-6 (1) victory over American Aleksandar Kovacevic.

The third seed, who is bidding for a record 23rd grand slam title, has not dropped a set in the opening round at Roland Garros since 2010, so this was a daunting task for Kovacevic, who is of Serbian heritage and idolised Djokovic as a child.

He did well to push the two-time champion to a third-set tie-break, breaking Djokovic when he tried to serve it out, but that was as good as it got for the 24-year-old.

Cameron Norrie survived a five-set battle with Frenchman Benoit Paire and the lively Roland Garros crowd to keep British hopes in the singles alive.

There looked set to be a British wipe-out for the second time in four editions in Paris when Norrie trailed 4-2 in the deciding set on Suzanne Lenglen after Jack Draper was forced to retire injured.

But 14th seed Norrie showed his battling qualities again to pull off a 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory after three hours and 33 minutes.