Dropshot Deluge: Novak Rethinks Excessive Use In Ymer Win
Eight days after clinching his fifth Internazionali BNL d’Italia title in Rome, Novak Djokovic took no time to recover his best level at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
The World No. 1 won 61 per cent of his return points (44/72) to breeze past Mikael Ymer 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 on the new Court Philippe-Chatrier, proving too consistent for his opponent as he recorded his 16th consecutive first-round victory at the Paris major.
One of the most notable features of Djokovic’s win was his use of the drop shot, a tactic used regularly during his Rome title run. After the match, the five-time year-end World No. 1 recognised that he may have used the shot one too many times, but spoke of the importance of utilising the tactic to keep his opponents on their toes.
“I think it’s a great variety shot, the dropshot. I think it’s important tactically to have it and to use it at the right time so that you can keep your opponent always guessing what the next shot is,” said Djokovic.
“I may have played too many today, I agree. Maybe I exceeded what I should have played. But I think it worked well in the moments when I needed to get the point I did. And I thought that I kept my opponent today on the back foot constantly, because I felt comfortable to hit really any shot, being aggressive or coming to the net or mixing it up.”
With his victory against Ymer, Djokovic improved to 32-1 this year. The Serbian has clinched four titles from five events in 2020, including a record-extending eighth Australian Open trophy in January.
Djokovic is chasing his 18th Grand Slam crown this fortnight. The Serbian is currently in third place on the Grand Slam titles leaderboard, two trophies behind Rafael Nadal and three short of record holder Roger Federer.
Grand Slam Titles Leaderboard
| Rank | Player | Titles |
| 1 | Roger Federer | 20 |
| 2 | Rafael Nadal | 19 |
| 3 | Novak Djokovic | 17 |
| 4 | Pete Sampras | 14 |
| 5 | Roy Emerson | 12 |
Djokovic is also attempting to become the first player in the Open Era — and only the third man in history — to capture multiple titles at each of the four major championships. Australians Roy Emerson and Rod Laver are the only men to have previously achieved the feat.
Djokovic will face Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania in the second round. The 30-year-old saved all six break points he faced to beat Hugo Dellien 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 on Court 11. Djokovic owns a 2-0 ATP Head2Head record against Berankis.
“Obviously these conditions are different than what we are used to here at Roland Garros… I think it’s quite suitable to my style of the game,” said Djokovic. “I actually enjoyed myself on the court today.
“I think I played really well. A few hiccups here and there, but I think generally the game is there. I’m ready physically, mentally, emotionally to go deep in the tournament. Hopefully I can have another successful year here in Paris.”
Playing under the roof, Djokovic made a rapid start to the match. The 33-year-old took his groundstrokes up the line to rush Ymer and mixed up play with regular drop shots to keep his opponent off balance. Djokovic landed 10 winners and committed just one unforced error in the opener, which lasted just 20 minutes.
Visit the Infosys Match Centre at RolandGarros.com
After trading breaks at 1-1 in the second set, Djokovic regained his focus to win four straight games. The 2016 champion closed the set with a love service hold, serving and volleying on set point to move one set from victory.
The drop shots continued to flow from Djokovic’s racquet, with varied success, in the third set. The 17-time Grand Slam champion made the crucial move at 3-3, breaking serve in an extended rally with a driven crosscourt backhand winner. Djokovic moved up the court to strike a forehand winner up the line on match point.
Ymer was making his second appearance in the Roland Garros main draw, following his run to the second round on his Grand Slam debut last year. The Swede, who competed at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals, owns a 6-7 tour-level record this year.