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Concerned about an injury? Absolutely not. All the hype and concerns and few predictions about Novak Djokovic have been put to rest in a spectacular way as he began his second week in Paris with a comfortable straight-set triumph against Juan Pablo Varillas in the 2023 French Open last-16 matchup. Djokovic’s 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday extended his tournament-winning run to 12 sets, putting him three wins away from the title. And with the victory, Djokovic broke Rafael Nadal’s big French Open record, putting his name atop.
Djokovic completely dominated the match against the No. 94-ranked opponent, hitting 35 winners and converting six of his 12 break points to set a clash against Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinal at the Roland Garros.
Djokovic reached the last eight in Paris for the 17th time with the win on Sunday, breaking Nadal’s record of 16 in 18 appearances. The only two occasions the Spaniard did not proceed to the quarterfinals were in 2009, when Robin Soderling gave tennis history’s most unexpected defeat in the fourth round and in 2016, when he withdrew due to a wrist injury before the 3rd round match. The only other times Djokovic exit the French Open before the quarterfinals were in his debut year of 2005 and in 2009.
