Novak Djokovic moves ahead of Rafael Nadal with French Open milestone
Novak Djokovic has made history at the French Open – after the world No 1 eased through to the third round with a hugely impressive performance.
World No 1 and defending champion Djokovic, who is looking for a fourth title at Roland Garros, barely broke a sweat in an emphatic display against Roberto Carballes Baena.
The Serbian was broken in the very opening game but faced virtually no trouble after that, dropping just seven games in a comprehensive 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Carballes Baena was unable to offer too much to threaten Djokovic, but the manner of the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s victory certainly sends out a strong message.
Question marks have been repeatedly raised about his form in 2024 but the defending champion has now reached round three without dropping a set – something that Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas could not do.
And, while Rafael Nadal will always be the King of Clay, Djokovic has usurped his long-term rival in one key French Open statistic.
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Round 3 record
Djokovic has now reached the third round of the French Open for the 19th time – a new outright record for the Open Era.
Previously, the three-time French Open winner was level with Nadal on 18 round three appearances, though the Spaniard’s absence last year and round-one loss this year means that the Serbian has moved ahead.
Djokovic doing Djokovic things #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/PlP2tiFb6A
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2024
And, with doubts over whether the 14-time winner will ever return to the tournament, Djokovic’s record is likely safe in the long run.
Behind Djokovic and Nadal, Roger Federer – the third member of the ‘Big Three’ – sits in third place, with 16 round three appearances in Paris.
Guillermo Vilas reached that stage 13 times, while Stan Wawrinka has 12 third-round showings at the event – though, like Nadal, was unable to reach that stage this time around.
Rounding out the top six is former runner-up David Ferrer, who matches Wawrinka with 12 showings.
Djokovic has only failed to reach round three once in 20 appearances at Roland Garros, with the Serbian losing in the second round in his event debut in 2005.
He lost in the third round to Philipp Kohlschreiber in 2009 but has made at least the quarter-final on every other occasion he has played the event.
And a similar run looks likely this year, with Djokovic playing some of his best tennis of 2024 against his Spanish opponent.
He is currently projected to face seventh seed Casper Ruud in the last eight, in a rematch of the final 12 months ago.
