He will be there.
Faithful to the appointment of the quarters as always since 2010. Winner with authority of the Argentinian puncher Diego Schwartzman in three sets (6-1, 6-3, 6-3) and barely 2h15 of play, Sunday during the 8th of Roland-Garros final, Novak Djokovic qualified for his 13th big 8 in a row in Paris.
A beautiful constancy.
Above all, with this victory, the Serb has his ticket in his pocket, warm, for the fight of the leaders which must oppose him Tuesday to Rafael Nadal.
For their 59th duel.
A remake of last year's epic semi-final between the two circuit heavyweights that everyone has been waiting for since the draw.
But when Djokovic left the Suzanne-Lenglen court he still did not know the name of his opponent.
The Spaniard had still not started his match against the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime on the Central.
It must be said that, once again, the world number 1 wasted no time in getting rid of his opponent.
🎾 Djokovic takes the second set
💪 On a new break, Novak Djokovic seals the fate of the second set
▶️ LIVE: https://t.co/cqK41EatHp pic.twitter.com/UY5pVSJriq
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) May 29, 2022
It was announced as a test, the first real on the road to Novak Djokovic since the start of Roland-Garros.
The Argentinian leprechaun, semi-finalist in 2020 and quarter-finalist in 2021, had pushed Djoko to the 5th set during their final match clash in Paris in the 3rd round in 2017. The world No. 1, who had never fallen facing No. 15 in six clashes (including three times on earth), was eager to do battle.
"I'm ready for the physical battle," he announced.
I look forward to this challenge.
»
We could judge.
Because the duel was cut short.
Blame it on an impeccable, terribly efficient Nole.
Tightening the game when his tough opponent had the audacity to tickle him a little too much.
After a first set quickly dispatched in 39 minutes (6-1), the second is more disputed.
Schwartzman (world No. 15) breaks Djoko to lead 0-3.
The public, which includes the astronaut Thomas Pesquet, finally thinks they can watch the much-heralded Star Wars.
Nothing will happen.
The rebellion will quickly be put down by the emperor of the circuit.
Djokovic chained 7 games in a row to win the second set (6-3) and ideally start the third.
The Djoker, and his 20 Grand Slam titles, now await Rafael Nadal, and his 21 crowns including 13 on the Parisian ocher, for a quarter-final which will look like a final before the hour.
