PARIS, (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic had a simple solution to the rain showers that continued to play havoc at the French Open yesterday but the weather got the better of former women’s champion Li Na whose hopes were sunk at a soggy Roland Garros.
World number one Djokovic needed just an hour and 26 minutes to thrash Argentina’s Guido Pella 6-2 6-0 6-2 to reach the third round after a lengthy wait to get on court.
There was only frustration and lots of twiddling of thumbs, however, for defending champions Rafa Nadal and Maria Sharapova.
Nadal got no further than the locker room after his second round against Slovakia’s Martin Klizan was one of 10 singles matches cancelled.
Sharapova led Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 4-2 when the over-worked groundstaff hauled the green court covers over for the last time at 2100 local time.
Nadal has not played since being given a fright by Daniel Brands on Monday and is in danger of going rusty before he continues his quest for an eighth French Open title.
Fortune has not been kind to the Spaniard so far, offering up an inspired Brands and a rain-soaked schedule that means he lags a round behind likely semi-final opponent Djokovic and faces the prospect of six matches in 10 days.
Nine third-round berths are still up for grabs in the top half of the men’s draw – a stark contrast to the bottom half occupied by Roger Federer where the line-up is complete.
China’s Li, winner in 2011, was bundled out by American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, a player whose grand slam appearances are usually memorable more for her outlandish outfits and war paint.
The sixth seed was twice forced off court during lengthy rain delays and when the third instalment of the match began she promptly lost seven games in a row on the way to a 5-7 6-3 6-2 defeat.
“I haven’t worn anything too crazy on court for a few years now,” said 66th-ranked Mattek-Sands, who sported knee-high black socks. “I feel like my racket has been doing the talking.”
