ANOTHER SLAM ON CARDS
Novak turning up the heat at Roland Garros
World number one Novak Djokovic continued his bid to hold all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously for the second time by thrashing Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in the French Open fourth round on Monday.
The 32-year-old Serbian was in irrepressible form as he romped to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win to set up a quarterfinal against either Italian Fabio Fognini or fifth seed Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic is the first man to make the last-eight in Paris for 10 successive seasons. It’s his 13th appearance in the quarterfinals overall.
“It was tricky with the rain, but that’s Paris,” said the 2016 champion after playing in drizzly conditions.
“I’m really confident with my serve.”
Only Australian great Rod Laver has held all four majors at the same time twice before, after his calendar Grand Slams in 1962 and 1969.
But top seed Djokovic, who first held all four when he won his maiden Roland Garros title three years ago, is looking to follow in Laver’s footsteps after adding the Australian Open trophy earlier this year to his 2018 Wimbledon and US Open titles.
The 15-time Grand Slam champion powered 31 winners past world number 45 Struff on Court Philippe Chatrier, and made only 12 unforced errors.
He broke serve five times in the match and did not face a breakpoint, until stumbling when serving for victory.
Djokovic saved that, though, as Struff netted, and he booked a quarterfinal spot on his first matchpoint.
Earlier, Australian eighth seed Ashleigh Barty beat Sofia Kenin, who stunned Serena Williams in the third round, to reach her second straight Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Barty, who also made the last eight at the Australian Open earlier this year, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 on Court Philippe Chatrier to set up a tie with 14th-seeded American Madison Keys.
“It’s my first time this week playing on this beautiful court and I just wanted to come out here and enjoy it,” said the 23year-old former cricketer.
“It [playing cricket] was incredible. It made me more hungry to come back and have success in tennis.” –