French Open 2023 LIVE: Tennis scores and results on Day 2 as Djokovic starts campaign

A howitzer of a forehand flies by Aleksandar Kovacevic and that’s that – Novak Djokovic is through! 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1).

A valiant effort from the young American, who has plenty more days like this to come, you’d have to say. But the final result was never in doubt.

Big match Djokovic re-emerges, getting a mini-break and then slamming down two fierce first serves to build his lead.

Tie break time, which looked unlikely about 15 minutes ago. Can the American take us deeper?

A slight wobble at 40-0 but Kovacevic is ahead in the third set for the first time. Djokovic, still rubbing at those irritated eyes, will serve to try and force a tie-break.

Ooh, hello! Djokovic has just been disturbed here, wiping dust and sweat from his eyes and then ceding two points rather easily to given Kovacevic the chance to prolong the encounter.

Break point one. Thumping exchange of forehands…into the net! Kovacevic breaks!

Novak Djokovic is twice forced to pause, first by the rather gusty wind that is beginning to sweep quite large amounts of the fine clay across the Philippe-Chatrier surface, and then to retrieve a replacement racquet after his strings go at 0-15.

A few whistles of delight from the crowd as Aleksandar Kovacevic holds what may well be his final service game.

Make that one game away. A hold to love.

And it appears Kovacevic may have won at least some of the crowd over – Djokovic is booed as he celebrates a glorious winner perhaps a little over-enthusiastically given the circumstances. Anyway, he’s two games away from a second round meeting with Márton Fucsovics.

A break back for Aleksandar Kovacevic! A great ovation from the Philippe Chatrier crowd in recognition of a merited moment for the American, his hard-hitting forehands drawing enough errors from Djokovic to move level in the third set.