Novak Djokovic vs. Jarkko Nieminen: Score and Reaction from 2015 French Open

Despite Jarkko Nieminen's best efforts, particularly in the second set, Novak Djokovic advanced to the second round of the 2015 French Open with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 win. 

Djokovic appeared to be on cruise control in the first set, winning with ease, but Nieminen had the top seed on the ropes in the second set before a number of costly errors left the door wide open for Djokovic, who was happy to take advantage. 

Nieminen was up 5-2 in the second before seeming to run out of gas, as ESPN The Magazine's Howard Bryant tweeted out the number of chances he had to win the set:

ESPN Tennis analyst Brad Gilbert noted his surprise at seeing Nieminen test Djokovic the way he did before Djoker raised his level of intensity:

Nieminen was put in a brutal position coming into the French Open by starting out with the world's No. 1 player. He did put forth a solid effort, but the disparity in talent with Djokovic was on display throughout the match. 

After the second set, Djokovic turned on the jet boosters. It wasn't a clean victory, as Nieminen helped him out in some spots, but this win serves as an early confidence boost for the 28-year-old as he seeks to complete the career Grand Slam. 

In the third set, with a 2-0 lead and advantage in the third game, Djokovic got a huge break point thanks to a stellar forehand return. Via Roland Garros:

That would essentially spell the end for Nieminen, though he would take two games late in the set to add some intrigue. 

Speaking to Dan Levy of France 24 prior to the start of this year's French Open, Djokovic believes he's as physically and mentally mature as he's ever been:

"I feel like today I am more mature as a person, I have grown, I have improved, I have learned how to deal with my emotions better. Overall I’m a stronger player, physically and mentally as well," Djokovic said.

Djokovic has to feel some pressure to win at Roland Garros. He's been so close, advancing to at least the semifinals each of the last four years, that a sense of desperation and frustration can creep in when things aren't working his way. 

Per ESPN Tennis, Djokovic is as hot as any player in the French Open with 23 straight wins and an outstanding 36-2 overall mark this season:

"

No. 1 Djokovic wins his 23rd straight match and moves to 36-2 in 2015 with a 6-2 7-5 6-2 win over Nieminen #RG15 pic.twitter.com/ktc3z8aHGI

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) May 26, 2015"

This win over Nieminen showed that Djokovic can overcome adversity, though he can't leave an opening that big against more talented players as he goes deeper in this tournament. The 2014 French Open runner-up has a lot of things to clean up, notably 12 unforced errors, to secure his first title at this event. 

Djokovic will take on the winner of Gilles Muller vs. Paolo Lorenzi. Djoker holds one victory over Muller this season, a straight-set win in the Australian Open fourth round, but has yet to play Lorenzi in 2015. 

For the season, Djokovic is perfect against unranked players (18-0). That certainly bodes well for his chances the rest of this week at Roland Garros, as he won't play a ranked player before the third round if No. 27 Bernard Tomic takes care of business in the second round. 

Given Djokovic's history of making deep runs at the French Open, Tuesday's opening match was a way for the eight-time Grand Slam champion to get his feet under him and see how the clay surface is playing.

He needs to take the lessons from this match, whether it was the second-set comeback or overcoming mental errors, to finally conquer his white whale. The challenges will come later, but Djokovic can't take his foot off the gas pedal in the next match or risk another scare like Nieminen gave him.