Djokovic beats Goffin to reach second round at French Open

PARIS - World No 1 Novak Djokovic fought off tough challenge from Belgium's David Goffin to win a first round match of the French Open here on Tuesday.

Djokovic, the beaten finalist last year, was tested by the 23-year-old but managed a straight-set victory in 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 7-5.

The match finally started at nearly seven o'clock in the evening at Roland Garros because a day of downpours has caused delays and interruptions of play.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point against David Goffin of Belgium during their men's singles match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, May 28, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Goffin, ranked 58th in the world, held all his serve in the first set and took it to a tie-break. But at 5-5 when he was on his second serve, a fan yelled out "Allez (go), David!", he double faulted and gave Djokovic a set point which he won.

Djokovic, this year's Australian Open champion, was 2-1 up with a break in the second set before Goffin levelled for 4-4.

The Serb clawed that break back immediately in the ninth game before going on to secure a two-set lead.

A break in the 11th game of the third set was all Djokovic needed to seal victory in the next game after two hours and 13 minutes.

Djokovic will next take on Argentinian Guido Pella, who beat Ivan Dodig of Croatia 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 12-10 in another match.

"It was a tough match," Djokovic said. "I needed to fight all the way through every set, and I served well when I needed to and played my best tennis when it was most important."

"I was aware of his qualities before. There is nothing you can do when somebody plays well but to fight and to come up with your best game and try to win.

"That's what I have done. There are things I need to work on, but for the first match it was great challenge for me, and I overcomed it. I'm really happy, and hopefully I can just kind of build from there."