Double French Open champion Jim Courier said Novak Djokovic&#39;s decision to work with so-called &quot;guru&quot;&nbsp;Pepe Imaz was partly to blame for his shock defeat at Roland Garros on Wednesday.

Defending champion Djokovic, who recently split with his long-term coaching team and worked with former great Andre Agassi in the first week in Paris, crumbled to a 7-6(5) 6-3 6-0 defeat by Austrian Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals.

The last set whizzed by in 20 minutes as Djokovic appeared to be going through the motions -- falling short of a seventh successive French Open semi-final.

&quot;The problem when one of the people on your team is all about love and peace and has been part of the camp for over a year, it&#39;s not something that you can fall back on when you are pushed into a hole,&quot; American Courier, working for British broadcaster ITV, said.

&quot;Novak showed no fight and maybe it was partly down to the windy conditions. He despises playing in the wind. He really seemed to accept the outcome well before it was conclusive.&quot;

Courier said world number two Djokovic must seek out Agassi to try and rediscover the spark that appears to be missing.

&quot;Andre knows how to broach this type of thing and will ask the right questions to see how Novak can avoid this kind of thing going forward,&quot; Courier said.

&quot;But there are questions remaining about Novak. Since Wimbledon last year there have been so many question marks about what&#39;s going on, on and off the court.&quot;

Imaz, a former Spanish player, has been described as a &quot;spiritual guru&quot; who uses the philosophy &quot;peace and love&quot; at his tennis academy. Djokovic linked up with him last year.

(Reuters)

'...He despises playing in the wind. He really seemed to accept the outcome well before it was conclusive'

Double French Open champion Jim Courier said Novak Djokovic's decision to work with so-called "guru" Pepe Imaz was partly to blame for his shock defeat at Roland Garros on Wednesday. Defending champion Djokovic, who recently split with his long-term coaching team and worked with former great Andre Agassi in the first week in Paris, crumbled to a 7-6(5) 6-3 6-0 defeat by Austrian Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals. The last set whizzed by in 20 minutes as Djokovic appeared to be going through the motions -- falling short of a seventh successive French Open semi-final. "The problem when one of the people on your team is all about love and peace and has been part of the camp for over a year, it's not something that you can fall back on when you are pushed into a hole," American Courier, working for British broadcaster ITV, said. "Novak showed no fight and maybe it was partly down to the windy conditions. He despises playing in the wind. He really seemed to accept the outcome well before it was conclusive." Courier said world number two Djokovic must seek out Agassi to try and rediscover the spark that appears to be missing. "Andre knows how to broach this type of thing and will ask the right questions to see how Novak can avoid this kind of thing going forward," Courier said. "But there are questions remaining about Novak. Since Wimbledon last year there have been so many question marks about what's going on, on and off the court." Imaz, a former Spanish player, has been described as a "spiritual guru" who uses the philosophy "peace and love" at his tennis academy. Djokovic linked up with him last year. (Reuters)

Djokovic eliminated from French Open: 'Showed no fight', says Courier

Rafael Nadal launched his pursuit of a record 10th French Open title in convincing fashion, while defending champion Novak Djokovic eased to victory under the gaze of new coach Andre Agassi.

Reigning women&#39;s champion Garbine Muguruza began her Roland Garros defence with a straight-sets triumph over 2010 winner Francesca Schiavone.

Nadal, who was forced to withdraw before last year&#39;s third round with a wrist injury, brushed aside 45th-ranked Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 inside two hours.

&quot;I&#39;m very happy to be back here after what happened last year. It&#39;s great to feel the support,&quot; said the 14-time major champion.

Nadal broke Frenchman Paire eight times and recovered from a slight second-set wobble when he dropped serve twice in a row to surge into a round two meeting with Dutchman Robin Haase.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s always at the start, happy for the victory. Was not an easy opponent in the first round, obviously. He&#39;s an uncomfortable opponent that already he had some good victories this year,&quot; added Nadal.

Title-holder Djokovic strolled through his opener against Marcel Granollers of Spain, advancing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

With 1999 French Open champion Agassi in the players box for the first time after agreeing a short-term coaching role, Djokovic experienced some trouble against the world number 77, being broken four times.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s great to have Andre Agassi as coach and as a mentor. I will try to learn as much as I can from him,&quot; said Djokovic.

The Serb, seeking to become the first man in the Open era to win all four majors on at least two occasions, will take on Portugal&#39;s Joao Sousa next.

&quot;Coming to this tournament for first time as a defending champion gave me, probably more than anything else, relief, because the anticipation and the pressure and expectations that I had also for myself but all the other people around me in the last three, four, five years before 2016 Roland Garros trophy was really big,&quot; added Djokovic.

&#39;Earn confidence&#39;&nbsp;

Muguruza&#39;s middling form this season saw her arrive in Paris with just three wins on clay, but the Spaniard dispatched former Paris champion Schiavone 6-2, 6-4.

The fourth seed will meet Estonia&#39;s Anett Kontaveit for a place in round three as Schiavone, who turns 37 in June, bid farewell to the tournament for possibly the final time.&nbsp;

&quot;I cannot believe in the first round we have two ex-champions. Not only that but Francesca is a legend and I was very excited to play on Philippe Chatrier court with her,&quot; said Muguruza.

&quot;I know I played good here before. That doesn&#39;t make me extra confident this year. I think I just have to earn that confidence here, and, like today, going out there, trying to deal with things. That&#39;s what brings me confidence. Not remembering how I played last year.&quot;

Muguruza defeated Serena Williams to win her maiden Grand Slam a year ago, but the 23-year-old needs to return to the final to stay in the world&#39;s top 10.

Second seed Karolina Pliskova won for just the third time in six visits to Roland Garros with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over China&#39;s Zheng Saisai.

Former French Open runners-up Sam Stosur and Sara Errani, the latter coming through qualifying, also moved into round two.

Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic raced through with a routine 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Steve Darcis of Belgium.

Raonic fired 15 aces and 44 winners to book a meeting with Brazil&#39;s Rogerio Dutra Silva, who saved two match points before overcoming Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in five sets.

Former US Open champion Marin Cilic and Belgian 10th seed David Goffin also progressed, but American 14th seed Jack Sock was blown away in three sets by towering Czech left-hander Jiri Vesely.

Rising German star Alexander Zverev, seeded ninth, begins his campaign against veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco later.

The 20-year-old Zverev defeated Djokovic in Rome a week ago to become the first player born in the 1990s to land a Masters title.

(AFP)

1999 French Open champion Andre Agassi was in the players' box for the first time after agreeing a short-term coaching role with Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal launched his pursuit of a record 10th French Open title in convincing fashion, while defending champion Novak Djokovic eased to victory under the gaze of new coach Andre Agassi. Reigning women's champion Garbine Muguruza began her Roland Garros defence with a straight-sets triumph over 2010 winner Francesca Schiavone. Nadal, who was forced to withdraw before last year's third round with a wrist injury, brushed aside 45th-ranked Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 inside two hours. "I'm very happy to be back here after what happened last year. It's great to feel the support," said the 14-time major champion. Nadal broke Frenchman Paire eight times and recovered from a slight second-set wobble when he dropped serve twice in a row to surge into a round two meeting with Dutchman Robin Haase. "It's always at the start, happy for the victory. Was not an easy opponent in the first round, obviously. He's an uncomfortable opponent that already he had some good victories this year," added Nadal. Title-holder Djokovic strolled through his opener against Marcel Granollers of Spain, advancing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. With 1999 French Open champion Agassi in the players box for the first time after agreeing a short-term coaching role, Djokovic experienced some trouble against the world number 77, being broken four times. "It's great to have Andre Agassi as coach and as a mentor. I will try to learn as much as I can from him," said Djokovic. The Serb, seeking to become the first man in the Open era to win all four majors on at least two occasions, will take on Portugal's Joao Sousa next. "Coming to this tournament for first time as a defending champion gave me, probably more than anything else, relief, because the anticipation and the pressure and expectations that I had also for myself but all the other people around me in the last three, four, five years before 2016 Roland Garros trophy was really big," added Djokovic. 'Earn confidence' Muguruza's middling form this season saw her arrive in Paris with just three wins on clay, but the Spaniard dispatched former Paris champion Schiavone 6-2, 6-4. The fourth seed will meet Estonia's Anett Kontaveit for a place in round three as Schiavone, who turns 37 in June, bid farewell to the tournament for possibly the final time. "I cannot believe in the first round we have two ex-champions. Not only that but Francesca is a legend and I was very excited to play on Philippe Chatrier court with her," said Muguruza. "I know I played good here before. That doesn't make me extra confident this year. I think I just have to earn that confidence here, and, like today, going out there, trying to deal with things. That's what brings me confidence. Not remembering how I played last year." Muguruza defeated Serena Williams to win her maiden Grand Slam a year ago, but the 23-year-old needs to return to the final to stay in the world's top 10. Second seed Karolina Pliskova won for just the third time in six visits to Roland Garros with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over China's Zheng Saisai. Former French Open runners-up Sam Stosur and Sara Errani, the latter coming through qualifying, also moved into round two. Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic raced through with a routine 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Steve Darcis of Belgium. Raonic fired 15 aces and 44 winners to book a meeting with Brazil's Rogerio Dutra Silva, who saved two match points before overcoming Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in five sets. Former US Open champion Marin Cilic and Belgian 10th seed David Goffin also progressed, but American 14th seed Jack Sock was blown away in three sets by towering Czech left-hander Jiri Vesely. Rising German star Alexander Zverev, seeded ninth, begins his campaign against veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco later. The 20-year-old Zverev defeated Djokovic in Rome a week ago to become the first player born in the 1990s to land a Masters title. (AFP)

French Open: Nadal, Djokovic sail into round 2

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were drawn to face each other in a blockbuster&nbsp;French&nbsp;Open&nbsp;semi-final on Friday.

Nadal is chasing a 10th title at Roland Garros while second seed Djokovic, working with new coach Andre Agassi, is looking to defend the only major he still holds.

&quot;Rafa is the number one favourite,&quot; said Djokovic.

World number one Andy Murray is seeded to face 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka in the last four.

Murray starts against Russia&#39;s world number 85 Andrey Kuznetsov, Djokovic tackles Spanish clay courter Marcel Granollers while Nadal meets combustible Frenchman Benoit Paire.

Murray could face dangerous Juan Martin del Potro in the third round.

Injury-plagued del Potro, who lost to Murray in the 2016 Olympics final, is playing Roland Garros for the first time since 2012.

If the seedings work out, 2016 runner-up Murray, who is reportedly suffering from an illness, would face Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori in the last eight.

The other quarter-finals would see Wawrinka meet 2014 US&nbsp;Open&nbsp;champion Marin Cilic, Nadal would meet Canada&#39;s Milos Raonic while Djokovic could take on Dominic Thiem.

Djokovic demolished highly-regarded Austrian Thiem for the loss of just one game in the Rome Masters semi-finals last week.

The 30-year-old Nadal has already reached the magical 10 titles number this year at the claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

For good measure, he also won Madrid for a fifth time, ending a seven-match losing streak, stretching back over two years against Djokovic in the process.

Nadal boasts a sensational career record at Roland Garros -- 72 wins and just two defeats, to Djokovic in 2015 and an injury-affected shock loss to Robin Soderling in 2009.

&#39;No magic pattern&#39;&nbsp;

On clay this year, Djokovic has been on an upward curve -- quarter-finals in Monte Carlo, semi-finals in Madrid and a runners-up spot in Rome where he was comprehensively demolished by Alexander Zverev.

&quot;It was one of my last dreams in terms of tournaments that I wanted to win here,&quot; said Djokovic at the draw on Friday.

&quot;It was missing from my list so I ticked it off and got the full set of Grand Slams.&quot;

Murray has endured a wretched season by his standards with an elbow injury not helping his cause.

He lost in the third round in Monte Carlo, made the semis in Barcelona, was a third-round loser in Madrid before an opening defeat in Rome to Fabio Fognini.

Zverev faces Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco first up, Thiem tackles Bernard Tomic of Australia while fellow &#39;NextGen&#39; star Nick Kyrgios faces Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.

Nishikori, yet to get past the quarter-finals in Paris, begins against 21-year-old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

In the women&#39;s draw, top seed Angelique Kerber starts against experienced Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the first round.

Kerber is due to face defending champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the semi-finals.

&quot;I am super-excited to be here. I am preparing the best I can but there is no magic pattern,&quot; said Muguruza who comes into the tournament having suffered a neck injury in Rome last week.

Muguruza has a tough opener against former champion Francesca Schiavone.

Second seed Karolina Plisova was drawn to face 2014 runner-up Simona Halep in the semi-finals but will start against Zheng Saisai of China.

Halep has an ankle injury and described her chances of making Roland Garros as &quot;50-50&quot; earlier this week.

The women&#39;s event is regarded as being wide&nbsp;open&nbsp;with Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka all absent.

If the seedings works out, Kerber will face former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the last eight with Muguruza against Dominika Cibulkova.

Elina Svitolina would face Halep, who she defeated in the Rome final, while Britain&#39;s Johanna Konta would be Pliskova&#39;s last-eight rival.

(AFP)

World number one Andy Murray, meanwhile, has a potential third round against Juan Martin del Potro

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were drawn to face each other in a blockbuster French Open semi-final on Friday. Nadal is chasing a 10th title at Roland Garros while second seed Djokovic, working with new coach Andre Agassi, is looking to defend the only major he still holds. "Rafa is the number one favourite," said Djokovic. World number one Andy Murray is seeded to face 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka in the last four. Murray starts against Russia's world number 85 Andrey Kuznetsov, Djokovic tackles Spanish clay courter Marcel Granollers while Nadal meets combustible Frenchman Benoit Paire. Murray could face dangerous Juan Martin del Potro in the third round. Injury-plagued del Potro, who lost to Murray in the 2016 Olympics final, is playing Roland Garros for the first time since 2012. If the seedings work out, 2016 runner-up Murray, who is reportedly suffering from an illness, would face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the last eight. The other quarter-finals would see Wawrinka meet 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, Nadal would meet Canada's Milos Raonic while Djokovic could take on Dominic Thiem. Djokovic demolished highly-regarded Austrian Thiem for the loss of just one game in the Rome Masters semi-finals last week. The 30-year-old Nadal has already reached the magical 10 titles number this year at the claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. For good measure, he also won Madrid for a fifth time, ending a seven-match losing streak, stretching back over two years against Djokovic in the process. Nadal boasts a sensational career record at Roland Garros -- 72 wins and just two defeats, to Djokovic in 2015 and an injury-affected shock loss to Robin Soderling in 2009. 'No magic pattern' On clay this year, Djokovic has been on an upward curve -- quarter-finals in Monte Carlo, semi-finals in Madrid and a runners-up spot in Rome where he was comprehensively demolished by Alexander Zverev. "It was one of my last dreams in terms of tournaments that I wanted to win here," said Djokovic at the draw on Friday. "It was missing from my list so I ticked it off and got the full set of Grand Slams." Murray has endured a wretched season by his standards with an elbow injury not helping his cause. He lost in the third round in Monte Carlo, made the semis in Barcelona, was a third-round loser in Madrid before an opening defeat in Rome to Fabio Fognini. Zverev faces Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco first up, Thiem tackles Bernard Tomic of Australia while fellow 'NextGen' star Nick Kyrgios faces Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. Nishikori, yet to get past the quarter-finals in Paris, begins against 21-year-old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. In the women's draw, top seed Angelique Kerber starts against experienced Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the first round. Kerber is due to face defending champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the semi-finals. "I am super-excited to be here. I am preparing the best I can but there is no magic pattern," said Muguruza who comes into the tournament having suffered a neck injury in Rome last week. Muguruza has a tough opener against former champion Francesca Schiavone. Second seed Karolina Plisova was drawn to face 2014 runner-up Simona Halep in the semi-finals but will start against Zheng Saisai of China. Halep has an ankle injury and described her chances of making Roland Garros as "50-50" earlier this week. The women's event is regarded as being wide open with Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka all absent. If the seedings works out, Kerber will face former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the last eight with Muguruza against Dominika Cibulkova. Elina Svitolina would face Halep, who she defeated in the Rome final, while Britain's Johanna Konta would be Pliskova's last-eight rival. (AFP)

French Open draw: Nadal, Djokovic set on collision course

Germany&#39;s Alexander Zverev stunned four-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 to win his first Masters title on Sunday, confirming his status as a French Open dangerman.

The 20-year-old Zverev claimed his maiden Masters 1000 title after becoming the youngest player in a decade to reach a final at this level and will move to 10 in the world as a result of his impressive victory.

Djokovic, who turns 30 on Monday, was the previous youngest Masters finalist, going all the way to the title in Miami as a 19-year-old in 2007.

But despite a clinical straight-set win over Austrian Dominic Thiem on Saturday, world number two Djokovic produced a flawed performance on centre court that saw him curse and swear as he struggled to find a way back into the match.

Overall, Djokovic had 27 unforced errors to 14 for Zverev, who also had 16 winners to the Serb&#39;s 11.

Zverev now has four career titles, three of which have come this year while Djokovic was denied what would have been a record 31st Masters title.

&quot;Playing against Novak, one of the best players to ever play -- it was an honour being on the court with you,&quot; said Zverev, the first player born in the 1990s to win a Masters title.

&quot;You&#39;re an amazing player. Unfortunately this week you didn&#39;t win, but I&#39;m sure as we get closer to Paris you&#39;ll be one of the favourites for the title.&quot;

Zverev broke in the first game of the final on his way to the first set and carved out the crucial first break of the second set in the third game.

Djokovic&#39;s frustrations boiled over when he was handed a warning for an audible obscenity in the eighth&nbsp;game before he was broken again in the ninth as Zverev celebrated his first Masters title.

&quot;I wish you go on to win many of these titles,&quot; Djokovic told the young German.

&quot;Yesterday I played what I thought was one of the best matches of my life on clay. Today I played something else. But that&#39;s sport.&quot;

Despite the defeat, Djokovic will start the French Open, which gets underway next Sunday, as one of the leading favourites having completed the career Grand Slam in Paris in 2016.

Djokovic names Agassi as new coach

Novak Djokovic confirmed American great Andre Agassi as his new coach Sunday, but said they did not yet have a &quot;long-term commitment&quot;.

&quot;I spoke to Andre the last couple weeks on the phone, and we decided to get together in Paris. So he&#39;s gonna be there. We&#39;ll see what future brings. We are both excited to work together and see where it takes us,&quot; said Djokovic.

&quot;We don&#39;t have any long-term commitment. It&#39;s just us trying to get to know each other in Paris a little bit.&quot;

(AFP)

The young German beat the former world number one in straight sets

Germany's Alexander Zverev stunned four-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 to win his first Masters title on Sunday, confirming his status as a French Open dangerman. The 20-year-old Zverev claimed his maiden Masters 1000 title after becoming the youngest player in a decade to reach a final at this level and will move to 10 in the world as a result of his impressive victory. Djokovic, who turns 30 on Monday, was the previous youngest Masters finalist, going all the way to the title in Miami as a 19-year-old in 2007. But despite a clinical straight-set win over Austrian Dominic Thiem on Saturday, world number two Djokovic produced a flawed performance on centre court that saw him curse and swear as he struggled to find a way back into the match. Overall, Djokovic had 27 unforced errors to 14 for Zverev, who also had 16 winners to the Serb's 11. Zverev now has four career titles, three of which have come this year while Djokovic was denied what would have been a record 31st Masters title. "Playing against Novak, one of the best players to ever play -- it was an honour being on the court with you," said Zverev, the first player born in the 1990s to win a Masters title. "You're an amazing player. Unfortunately this week you didn't win, but I'm sure as we get closer to Paris you'll be one of the favourites for the title." Zverev broke in the first game of the final on his way to the first set and carved out the crucial first break of the second set in the third game. Djokovic's frustrations boiled over when he was handed a warning for an audible obscenity in the eighth game before he was broken again in the ninth as Zverev celebrated his first Masters title. "I wish you go on to win many of these titles," Djokovic told the young German. "Yesterday I played what I thought was one of the best matches of my life on clay. Today I played something else. But that's sport." Despite the defeat, Djokovic will start the French Open, which gets underway next Sunday, as one of the leading favourites having completed the career Grand Slam in Paris in 2016. Djokovic names Agassi as new coach Novak Djokovic confirmed American great Andre Agassi as his new coach Sunday, but said they did not yet have a "long-term commitment". "I spoke to Andre the last couple weeks on the phone, and we decided to get together in Paris. So he's gonna be there. We'll see what future brings. We are both excited to work together and see where it takes us," said Djokovic. "We don't have any long-term commitment. It's just us trying to get to know each other in Paris a little bit." (AFP)

Rome Masters: Zverev stuns Djokovic to lift title

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