Djokovic winning run continues

Novak Djokovic registered his 40th straight win in emphatic fashion in the opening round of the French Open this afternoon.

The world number two, who is now only four short of John McEnroe's record start to a season of 42 consecutive victories, thumped Dutchman Thiemo De Bakker 6-2 6-1 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Djokovic's run has brought him seven titles, including the Australian Open and wins over world number one Rafael Nadal in four Masters 1000 events.

The Spaniard is still the favourite to win a sixth Roland Garros crown but Djokovic certainly did nothing to harm his chances with a brisk 92-minute victory today.

The Serb served notice of things to come by breaking his opponent, ranked 71st in the world, in the second game of the match, and he had no trouble clinching the opening set.

De Bakker lost the first five games of the second and, although he managed to avoid a 'bagel', it merely delayed the inevitable. The 22-year-old made a better fist of things in the third set but Djokovic was simply a class above.