• French Open, Day Two

Djokovic strolls past De Bakker

Novak Djokovic's movement was sublime against Thiemo de Bakker © Getty Images

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French Open: Day Two - Gallery

Novak Djokovic threw down a marker with a 6-2 6-1 6-3 mauling of Thiemo de Bakker in the first round of the French Open.

The world No. 2, who made the trip to Paris defending an unbeaten record in 2011, had one of the more difficult first-round challenges on paper.

However, against a player who was ranked No. 40 in the world last year and reached the third round in Paris in 2010, Djokovic produced another masterclass to power into the second round.

If De Bakker stood any chance of causing an upset, he had to make a rapid start. That did not materialise as Djokovic raced through the first three games inside nine minutes. The Dutchman got himself on the scoreboard with a fine inside-out forehand to hold the fourth game.

It proved to be just a brief respite as Djokovic had his rival on a string. He worked his opponent from corner to corner with accurate power and on more than one occasion sapped his energy and spirit with a deft drop shot.

De Bakker saved a set point with a lucky net cord, but it did not thwart Djokovic who clinched the opening set with a rasping, wrong-footing forehand.

Losing the opening set sapped what little belief De Bakker had from his body as his game unravelled in the second. Mishits and weak strokes on both wings saw Djokovic earn a rapid double break. He avoided the bagel and a glorious passing shot earned De Bakker a break point, but the Serb was in no mood to surrender his serve and staved off the threat to take the second set in 26 minutes.

De Bakker showed some flashes of quality in the third set, a couple of sweet drop shots at least ensured Djokovic had to break out of a canter, but in truth it was no more than a stroll for the Australian Open champion.

Djokovic could face former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro in round three and the Argentinian is on course for that clash after digging deep to beat Ivo Karlovic 6-7 (7/9) 6-3 7-5 6-4. Del Potro was not at his best, but his unforced error count at 21 was half of that of his opponent and it tipped the match in his favour.

Roger Federer plays a backhand return © PA Photos

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Roger Federer, seeded third, was make to work hard before sealing a straight sets victory over Feliciano Lopez. The Swiss maestro edged the first two sets courtesy of single breaks of service in each, but the third proved to be a far tighter affair. Neither player made a breakthrough, with Lopez showing why many had predicted a tough opening match for the Fed Express.

A tiebreak was needed to separate the pair, Federer holding his nerve to take it 7-3, signing off with an ace - his 12th of the contest - to wrap up a 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) win.

Sixth seed Tomas Berdych was a surprise casualty after losing a marathon five-set encounter against France's Stephane Robert 6-3 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-9. The Cech was cruising at two sets up before Robert came roaring back, dismantling Berdych's serve to force a fifth set. In a tense finale, Robert held his nerve, making the decisive break in the 15th game to complete a stunning win in nearly three-and-a-half hours.

Home favourite and ninth seed Gael Monfils battled from a set down to beat Bjorn Phau 4-6 6-3 7-5 6-0. The Frenchman was rocked in the first set as his opponent was rewarded for holding nothing back. Monfils rallied, however, and pounced as Phau's level dropped - he made 59 unforced errors throughout - to progress to round two after just over two-and-a-quarter hours on court.

Twelth seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny proved too strong for Go Soeda, while it was a similar story for No. 15 seed Viktor Troicki in his clash with Julian Reister.

Mardy Fish, the leading American in the draw, prevailed in four sets after battling past a dogged Ricardo Mello 6-2 6-7(11) 6-2 6-4, while Belgian qualifier Steve Darcis caused a stir by snapping a winless run of nine matches against Gran Slam seeds to knock out No.22 seed Michael Llodra, also in four.

Later in the day, Richard Gasquet completed a good opening day for home players with a straight sets victory over Radek Stepanek - breaking the Czech's resolve after a tight first set to claim a 7-5 6-3 6-0 success.

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