Djokovic, Ivanovic battle hard for victories

PARIS: Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic had to display stiff resistance to reach the second round of the French Open yesterday.

The popular Serbian duo had been expected to stroll past their little-known opponents but instead had to weather a barrage of winning shots before finally emerging victorious.

Australian Open champion Djokovic stood firm to record a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 win over Germany's Denis Gremelmayr while last year's runner-up Ivanovic battled past Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson 6-2, 7-5.