Two-time Roland Garros champion Novak Djokovic will compete in the quarter-final in Paris for the 17th time. Novak took down Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 57 minutes to enter the last eight and remain on the title course. Djokovic is the first player with 17 quarter-finals at Roland Garros, leaving Rafael Nadal on 16. After challenging duels in the second and third rounds, the Serb had a more relaxed day at the office against the Peruvian on Court Philippe-Chatrier, controlling the pace and preserving energy for the upcoming duels. Novak had issues with the French crowd but stayed calm and maintained a high level that carried him over the top. Djokovic struggled on the second serve, but that could not cost him much after serving at 80%. The Serb barely lost a point behind the first serve and got broken once from three chances offered to his rival.
Novak Djokovic is through into his 17th Roland Garros quarter-final.
World no. 94 could not follow that pace, dropping half of the points in his games and losing serve six times from 12 chances offered to Djokovic. Novak controlled the pace with 35 winners and 20 unforced errors. He built the advantage in the shortest, mid-range and most advanced rallies to sail over the top and arrange the duel against Karen Khachanov. Novak saved a break point in the encounter’s first game and grabbed a break in the next one for 2-0. Djokovic held at love in game three and secured another break to extend his streak. Varillas pulled one break back in game five and reduced the deficit to 4-2.
Novak denied a break point in game seven for 5-2 and secured the opener with a fine hold at 5-3. The Serb sailed through his service games in the second set and challenged the rival to repeat that. Juan Pablo got broken in the first game and experienced another loose service game to fall 4-1 behind. Varillas saved a break point in game seven to reduce the deficit to 5-2 before Djokovic closed the set a few minutes later for a 6-3, 6-2 advantage. Novak sailed through his service games in the third set and waited for the return chances. He broke the rival in games three and five to open a 4-1 gap. Djokovic served for the victory at 5-2 and fired three winners to emerge at the top and remain on the title course.
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