Roland-Garros: Djokovic brushes aside Varillas to reach a record 17th Roland-Garros quarter-final

Novak Djokovic beat Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3, 6-2, 6-2,and will face Russian Karen Khachanov, the No 11 seed, in the last eight

4 June 2023

Djokovic wins at Roland-Garros, 2023 © AI / Reuters / panoramic

Jamie Malachy

Writer

French Open •Round of 16 • completed

See draw

N. DjokovicvsJ. Varillas

Novak Djokovic continued his campaign for a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title in fine style in the Parisian sunshine, making light work of his Peruvian opponent Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to advance to his 17th Roland-Garros quarter-final – a record in itself at this tournament. Even Nadal didn’t make it.

Varillas never looked like putting up much of a fight against the Serb, having come through three back-to-back five set matches to reach the fourth round.

Facing the 22-time Grand Slam champion far below peak condition was always going to be a tall order for the Peruvian, who was ultimately overwhelmed by Djokovic’s near flawless display.

Djokovic happy with Roland-Garros display

The Serb was clearly happy with his performance today, as revealed by his on-court comments after the match. “I really enjoyed it, best performance so far in the tournament came exactly at the right time as I’m coming into the second week and obviously playing another quarter-final match, it’s going to get tougher, bigger challenges, but I like the way I’m playing, the way I’m feeling, so I’m looking forward to a new challenge.”

It will also be of great relief to his supporters to hear that the physical issues that have been troubling Djokovic throughout the clay-court stretch appear to be behind him.

Last probably seven to ten days have been the best I’ve felt since the Australian Open.

“Definitely [feeling] better than I did the last couple of months, last probably seven to ten days have been the best I’ve felt since the Australian Open, so that’s good, that’s positive news, I just have to keep going and don’t allow myself to think too far, but I’m on a good path.”

Djokovic dominant in one-sided Roland-Garros encounter

In total, Djokovic generated 12 break points, taking half of them as he exerted relentless pressure on his opponent’s serve.

He also dwarfed Varillas’ winner count, smothering the Peruvian’s ability to make headway in the longer rallies by hitting 35 clean winners to his opponent’s 15.

The most powerful tool in his impressive array of weaponry, however, was Djokovic’s strength of serve. The Serb landed 80% of his first serves, winning the point 84% of the time that he did, meaning Varillas’ opportunities to break were kept to just three points – only one of which the Peruvian converted.

Novak hitting form in time for second week of Roland-Garros

Just at the cusp of the second week of Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic is once again hitting his stride. He has proved time and time again to be a master of peaking at the right time in the biggest tournaments. It appears that, despite all the concern about injury and form coming into the event, this year’s French Open is no different.

There is still much tennis to be played before the semi-final, with Djokovic facing a tricky test against the in-form Russian Karen Khachanov, the eleventh seed, next. He will be well aware, however, that should he come through that test, a certain Carlos Alcaraz is likely to be the opponent on the other side of the net come semi-finals Friday.

On the evidence of today’s showing, the young Spaniard is just about the only man left in the draw who can stop yet another juggernaut of a Djokovic express train rolling towards a 23rd Grand Slam title.

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