• French Open, Day Three: Plays of the Day

Finding the small victories in big defeats

David Goffin found a new fan in Novak Djokovic on Tuesday © PA Photos

Enlarge

A round of applause for the loser

It perhaps skirted with coming across as condescending, but Novak Djokovic's applause of David Goffin as the Belgian departed following his first round loss on Tuesday was a nice gesture from the world No. 1.

Last year's French Open finalist was pushed all the way on Tuesday by 22-year-old Goffin, who perhaps deserved to have at least a set to show for his efforts in the late afternoon. In the end, however, all he got was Djokovic's respect - which in turn sparked the Roland Garros crowd to show their own appreciation for his great efforts.

"He did really well, played some nice tennis," Djokovic said afterwards. "It was tough, I had to fight but I played my best tennis when I had to."

Thanks for nothing

Djokovic may already be wondering what the French Open organisers (or the draw gods) have against him. As top seed, the Serbian would usually expect a reasonably achievable path to the final of a grand slam. Over the next two weeks, however, that might not be the case.

Not only does Djokovic know that he has a likely semi-final meeting with seven-time French Open champion (and third seed) Rafael Nadal (surely making it better to be the second seed than the first?!) ahead of him, he has already had a tough first round match to contend with. Then, in the third round, he could face Grigor Dimitrov - who beat him on clay just a few weeks ago.

Djokovic must already be somewhat pensive about world No. 83 Guido Pella holds in store.

Going home with something to show for it

Elena Baltacha - a veteran of exactly one French Open victory in her career - will not look back on her 2013 campaign with any fondness, as she was dumped out in straight sets by Marina Erakovic.

The Brit did not go home completely happy, however - as Erakovic kindly handled her a second set bagel as Paris waved goodbye to Baltacha once again.

Hopefully Heather Watson can do a bit better on Wednesday.

Oh father, where art thou?

Bernard Tomic's campaign ended early on Tuesday - but that did not prevent him answering questions about his father, who was not allowed inside the grounds as he faces criminal charges in Spain for an altercation with one of his son's [presumably former] hitting partners.

"We've taken maximum precautions not to let him in," French federation spokesman Christophe Proust said, adding that the younger Tomic "was playing on Court No. 6, which is a small court, so it's easy to see who's in the stands."

Tomic, however, will be sticking by his father - who is also his coach.

"He's here right now in Paris, so, you know, he's still working with me, he's still my dad, he's still my coach," the 20-year-old Tomic said. "And, you know, I love him a lot."

Rain, rain, go away

After rain delays ravaged Tuesday's order of play, one suspects plans for a roof on at least one of the Roland Garros courts will be pushed through with even greater urgency come the end of this tournament...

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.