Roland-Garros – Men’s singles: Novak Djokovic crushes Berankis and qualifies for the round of 16

Novak Djokovic continued his flawless performance with plenty of Ricardas Berankis (6-1, 6-4, 6-1) in 1:32. Applied and serious, the Serbian bet on his power to bend a valiant but too limited opponent. The world number 1, who left only 6 short games to the Lithuanian, will be in the round of 16 for the twelfth consecutive year. He will face Lorenzo Musetti there.

He had dropped 8 games in the first round against Tennys Sangren, then 9 in the next round against Pablo Cuevas. The Serbian did even better this Saturday afternoon on the Philippe-Chatrier court, in a one-sided match. The meeting seemed unbalanced on paper, and the trend was confirmed: the 92nd player in the world never had time to hang on to a tiny hope. Berankis, for the first time qualified in the third round, lost twice the bet on his serve before winning his only game in a first round (6-1) dispatched in 26 minutes. The Lithuanian, however, showed courage in a second set more hooked (6-4), showing himself particularly efficient at the net. But the power of Djokovic, who did not lose a game on his serve, made the difference. The third round, too, largely turned in favor of the Serbian (6-1).

Serious and diligent Djokovic

Even if it is difficult to learn from the difference in level, Djokovic returned the image of a diligent player, fully focused in his quest for a second final victory, after 2016. The Serbian s’ is at times physically economized, and has especially capitalized on its power in the service. But despite several aces, the world number 1 also committed some double faults which could prove detrimental in the face of better opposition. Starting with this Monday, against Lorenzo Musetti, handsome winner of Cecchinato in five sets this afternoon. A program that allows the Serbian to gradually gain strength, before a possible quarter-final that could oppose Roger Federer.