Djokovic, Sabalenka ease through rain-hit openers at Roland Garros on day 3

Rain put a dampener on the third day of the French Open but defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia avoided getting bogged down as his quest for a professional era record-extending 25th Grand Slam title got off to a solid enough start on Tuesday.

It was business-like rather than spectacular for Djokovic in the late match on Court Philippe Chatrier but earlier Norway's Casper Ruud and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka provided some bright spots on a grey Parisian day with impressive first-round wins. Denmark's 13th seed, Holger Rune also brought his usual flair to court as he saw off Britain's Dan Evans in straight sets.

Top seed Djokovic took to court in the evening to face local Pierre-Hugues Herbert with doubts about his form, as he has yet to reach any final so far this season.

There were still some blemishes in his game, including a dip in the second set, but Djokovic also produced some scintillating tennis at times to win 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-4.

"It's a straight-set win. In the moments when it mattered, I think I delivered, played a great tiebreak, stayed focused," said Djokovic.

"I'm glad that I started the way I started, the way I felt on the court. Comparing to the previous weeks of tournaments I played, I felt good. So I'm moving in a positive direction."

On the women's side, world number two Sabalenka mowed down Russian teenager Erika Andreeva in 68 minutes 6-1, 6-2, en route to a second Grand Slam title this season after defending her title at the Australian Open in January.

Fourth seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan overcame an early wobble to glide past Belgian Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3 earlier in the day, showing no signs of the illness that had hampered her preparations for the year's second major.

In other action, Australian Alex De Minaur thumped American Alex Michelsen, Croatian Petra Martic overcame local Kristina Mladenovic and Dutch player Arantxa Rus stunned three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber of Germany once play got going on the outside courts. Danish shot-maker Rune's victory over Dan Evans meant Katie Boulter walked on court later knowing that she was Britain's last hope of having a singles player in the second round, but the 26th seed went down 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Spain's Paula Badosa.

(With input from Reuters)