Novak Djokovic's Pre-French Open Struggles Will Strengthen Him at Roland Garros

Sometimes disappointing losses can be good for an athlete heading into major competitions; they can knock the edge off and/or serve as a wake-up call.

That will be the case for world No. 1 Novak "Nole" Djokovic at the 2013 French Open.

He began his journey Wednesday at Roland Garros with a win over David Goffin 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 7-5. 

That win was just the beginning of what will be a deep run for Nole.

He looked like anything but a man capable of winning a Grand Slam event on clay over the past few weeks.

Djokovic lost to Grigor Dimitrov in the second round in Madrid and fell to Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals in Rome. His failures at the two French Open tuneups will make him play with more urgency at Roland Garros. 

Djokovic has already said this is the most important tournament of the year for him. While he is focused and still the top-ranked player in the world, his rival Rafael Nadal is the man everyone expects to win the French Open—despite his less-than-convincing, first-round victory over Daniel Brands.

The French Open is the only Grand Slam Djokovic hasn't won; and judging by his recent performances and Nadal's relative good health, it wouldn't appear to be the ideal year for Djokovic to break through.

Because he is playing with perhaps the lowest expectations he's had at a Grand Slam event in the last three years, Djokovic is even more dangerous.

The 26-year-old has always possessed incredible resolve; that quality and the current dynamic in men's tennis makes him my sleeper pick.

It is hard to refer to the top-ranked player in the world as a sleeper, but this year the tag fits Djokovic. He's as motivated to shine and shock his critics as he's ever been.

Besides Nadal, there aren't many players in his side of the draw who should give Djokovic a ton of trouble. The biggest threat early on could come from fellow Serbian Janko Tipsarevic. He defeated Djokovic in straight sets in Madrid in 2012, but Djokovic still owns the edge over Tipsarevic all time (5-2). 

Instead of following the losing pattern of his past two tournaments, I fully expect Djokovic to build on his success from 2012. He reached the French Open final for the first time in his career last year, but he ultimately fell to Nadal in four sets (6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5).

This year, the two could meet in the semifinals.

While Djokovic may not ever conquer Nadal on the red clay, expect him to reach the final four and to give Nadal another serious challenge.

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