Novak Djokovic's clay season got off to a sluggish start on Tuesday at the Monte Carlo Masters as the world number two struggled past Gilles Simon 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Djokovic then suffered losses against Nick Kyrgios, in the Mexican Open and BNP Paribas Open, before having to withdraw from the Miami Open due to an elbow injury.
Nadal has explained that his immediate focus is to make sure not to pick any injuries for the clay season in order to improve his chances of winning his first title since April 2016.
But as his level dropped, Simon's improved dramatically and some inspired tennis saw the Frenchman roar back to restore parity.
What's more, Djokovic has six times beaten perhaps the greatest clay-courter of the Open era, Rafael Nadal, in those very Masters.
Djokovic was superb in a dominant opening set in which some big-hitting and solid defence saw him take the lead.
The 29-year-old secured the first set before Simon saved four break points in the second to change the game's tempo.
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Housing prices in the Toronto area have risen around 30% in the past year and that's following many years of strong increases. That seems to be the takeaway from similar attempts in places like Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, he noted.
The Frenchman, a former top-10 player but now down as 32, is always a challenge, as their last match bore witness: a fourth-round five-setter at last year's Australian Open that took Djokovic over four and a half hours to win.
He will play the victor of the match between Russia's Karen Khachanov or Pablo Carreno Busta from Spain in the third round. Finishing the year as World No. 1 is possible for both of them, especially if they continue to take advantage of the prep tournaments ahead of Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
On his preparation for the clay season, Nadal said: "I need time, I need hours on court". There are at least three balls in this rally that should've had a way more heat on them-not least Simon's sheepish treatment of that first short ball-but the point keeps going and going, because the ball always waits a little longer for you on clay, because neither had the appetite for a risky victor, because these guys can always get a solid racket on the ball.
Sixth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was the major casualty of the day, losing to fellow Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-7 (7-6) 6-2 6-3. In the ensuing rally, Simon stepped in, accelerated through an inside-out forehand and drew a netted backhand reply breaking for 5-4.
Joao Sousa of Portugal eased past German player Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-2.
Another Frenchman, 11th seed, Lucas Pouille advanced easily with a 6-2 6-4 victory over American Ryan Harrison.
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