Rafael Nadal set up a tantalising second-round contest with old foe Novak Djokovic at Paris 2024 after coming through his opening Olympics singles match.

Spain’s Nadal, 38, had cast doubt on whether he would even be able to play against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics because of a thigh injury.

But the 2008 gold medallist had enough to see off Fucsovics in a 6-1 4-6 6-4 win.

Nadal, playing at the scene of his record 14 men’s singles titles, will face Djokovic in the coming days as the pair extend their enduring rivalry to a 60th meeting.

Serbia’s Djokovic, 37, advanced to the second round with a simple success over Australia’s Matt Ebden on Saturday.

The pair are two of the greatest players of all-time, having won a combined 46 Grand Slam singles titles – tipped 24-22 in Djokovic’s favour, and set countless records which may never be broken.

Nadal hinted last year that 2024 might be his final season on the tour and, although he has since rowed back somewhat, it still remains to be seen how long he will continue after a series of injury problems in the past two years.

Djokovic is a year younger but still contesting the sport’s most prestigious prizes and bidding for the one thing which still eludes him – Olympic gold.

More to follow.