Novak Djokovic is through to his 16th Roland Garros quarter-final from 18 trips to Paris. The Serb had only two early Roland Garros exits, at the beginning of his career in 2005 and four years later. Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated Novak in straight sets in the 2009 third round, and it was Djokovic’s last defeat in Paris before reaching the quarter-final. Since 2010, the Serb has been among the top eight every year at the clay Major, embracing 13 consecutive quarter-finals and extending his record from the previous year. Novak should keep this achievement for many more years, as even Rafael Nadal could not match it despite his dominant runs. Djokovic became the second player with 13 straight quarter-finals at a single Major, joining Jimmy Connors at the top of the list. The American played in 13 US Open quarter-finals between 1973-1985, and the Serb will pass him if he enters the last eight in Paris in 12 months.
Novak Djokovic is second player with 13 straight QF’s at a single Major.
Novak made a winning start at Roland Garros last week with a convincing 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 triumph over Yoshihito Nishioka in just under two hours. The Serb needed 50 minutes to secure the opening set, and he stormed over the opponent with reliable performance on serve and return in sets two and three for a place in the second round. Djokovic needed two hours and 16 minutes to topple Alex Molcan 6-2, 6-3, 7-6, playing well in the opening two sets and prevailing in the closing stages of the third to enter the last 32. Aljaz Bedene stood no chance against the defending champion, who beat him 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 44 minutes for a place in the last 16.
Novak lost 12 points behind the initial shot to keep the pressure on the other side and scored five breaks to emerge at the top. Djokovic faced Diego Schwartzman in the next round in what could be the first real test for the 20-time Major champion. Instead, Novak toppled Diego 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 15 minutes to advance into the last eight for the 13th straight year. Djokovic tamed his strokes nicely and defended seven out of eight break points. He earned six breaks and overcame an early setback in one of the sets to control the scoreboard and set a blockbuster quarter-final clash against Rafael Nadal.