Djokovic, Alcaraz, Swiatek, Paolini in Round 2 of Paris Olympic tennis

Paris: In a dominant display of tennis, top seed Novak Djokovic stormed into the second round of the rain-soaked tennis tournament at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, setting the stage for a potential faceoff against Rafael Nadal.

Despite relentless rain dampening the second day of the Games and causing delays and rescheduling at Roland Garros, Djokovic launched his Olympic campaign with an emphatic victory. The world number one dispatched Australia's Matthew Ebden, losing just one game in a commanding 6-0, 6-1 triumph.

Djokovic, needing only 53 minutes to secure his win, now faces the potential challenge of two-time Olympic champion Nadal in the next round. Nadal, who will battle Marton Fucsovics in his opening match on Sunday, could set the stage for a legendary showdown.

Recent French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain made an auspicious Olympic debut, overpowering Lebanon’s Hady Habib 6-3, 6-1. Alcaraz, alongside Nadal, also celebrated their first victory as a doubles pair, adding to the excitement of Spain's campaign.

Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev commenced his Olympic journey with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, showcasing his prowess on the grand stage.

Queen of clay Iga Swiatek returned to the scene of her fourth French Open triumph just a month ago, eager to capture her first Olympic medal. The world number one navigated past Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu with a 6-2, 7-5 victory, advancing to the second round. Swiatek is determined to claim an Olympic medal, a dream unfulfilled by her father, Tomasz, who finished seventh in the quadruple sculls rowing event at Seoul 1988.

Rio 2016 silver medallist Angelique Kerber displayed fine form in her opening match, defeating four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3. The three-time major winner, who has announced her retirement post-Olympics, moved with elegance and precision, outplaying her opponent ten years her junior.

Wimbledon singles finalist Jasmine Paolini of Italy also enjoyed a victorious start in her Olympic debut, overcoming Ana Bogdan 7-5, 6-3.

The rain may have slowed the pace, but it couldn't dampen the spirit and excitement of the Olympic tennis tournament, as the world's best continue their quest for gold in Paris.