Rafael Nadal sets up blockbuster Novak Djokovic clash at Paris Olympics 

New Delhi: Rafael Nadal won his opening round match at Paris Olympics on Sunday to set up a mouth-watering clash with hos old rival Novak Djokovic.

Despite injury concerns, Nadal decided to play in the men’s singles at Paris 2024 and played with a  strapping on his injured right thigh to defeat Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

A 14-time winner at the red clay courts of Roland Garros, where the Olympics tennis Olympics matches are being held. The 38-year-old is a gold medallist in singles in Beijing 2008 and a doubles champion at Rio 2016.

Top seed Djokovic began his Paris campaign on a strong footing with a  6-0, 6-1 win over Australia’s Matthew Ebden in only 53 minutes.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion looked to be in complete control after the first set on Court Philippe Chatrier. But Fucsovics then fought back to force the match into the deciding third set.

The Hungarian even had three break points to go 3-1 in the third set but Nadal broke back in the following game to seize the momentum again.

Once Nadal moved ahead there was no looking back for the Spaniard as his grit and guile overpowered the world number 83.

On Saturday, Nadal paired up with Carlos Alcaraz win in doubles in straight sets but his heavily bandages right thigh raised doubts over participation in the demanding singles.

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