Novak Djokovic cranked up his level late in the first set and rarely looked back Thursday to continue his quest for a record-extending 25th major title at Roland Garros.
Aiming for his fourth trophy on the Parisian clay, the 37-year-old showed flashes of his best tennis across a convincing 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory against Roberto Carballes Baena.
“I’m glad that I came through the opening [two] rounds in straight sets,” Djokovic said. “Again at the beginning, in the first set, I was challenged. He was playing very well, aggressive from the start. It took me a little bit of time to start swinging through the ball a bit more loose. Crucial break to clinch the first set. After that, the second and third set really went my way.”
Djokovic, who must reach at least the final to have a chance to hold off Jannik Sinner and remain World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, brought the crowd to a standing ovation in the opening game of the third set, when he responded to Carballes Baena’s drop shot by skillfully hitting the ball around the net post.
The Serbian won 55 per cent of his return points, according to Infosys Stats, and broke Carballes Baena’s serve seven times to improve to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head with the World No. 63. All three of their meetings have come at Grand Slam level.
“I was dictating play and doing things the right way,” Djokovic said. “I have to be content, of course it can always be better, matches are only going to get tougher. It’s enjoyable to feel and play this way at a Grand Slam.”
Last year’s champion next meets home favourite Gael Monfils or 30th seed Lorenzo Musetti. Djokovic holds a dominant 19-0 record against the Frenchman and has won four of his five meetings against Musetti, including last month in Monte-Carlo, where the 98-time tour-level titlist avenged his 2023 loss to the Italian in the Principality.
“I haven’t had too many wins coming into Roland Garros, so I have to lower my expectations but of course I believe in myself and my capabilities,” said Djokovic, who in 2023 became the oldest Roland Garros champion. “I know what I am capable of doing. I’ve done it many times in my career. Going far in a Grand Slam has always been the goal… I look forward to what’s coming up.”
Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev backed up his statement win against Rafael Nadal with a dominant display against David Goffin to reach the third round at Roland Garros on Thursday.
The fourth-seeded German, who downed 14-time champ Nadal in straight sets in the first round, played front-foot tennis in his clash with Goffin. He overpowered the Belgian, hitting 37 winners under the roof on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to advance after two hours and 22 minutes.
The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is chasing his first major title and will next play Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor or Italian Luciano Darderi. Zverev is 30-9 on the season, earning 12 of those wins on clay.
Daniil Medvedev advanced to the third round at Roland Garros on Thursday when he moved past Miomir Kecmanovic, who was forced to retire in the second set. Medvedev led the Serbian 6-1, 5-0 in 55 minutes when play was stopped on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
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