World number one Novak Djokovic secured a place in the 2020 French Open quarterfinals, dispatching Russia’s Karen Khachanov in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
Khachanov showed that he would be a tough nut to crack, fighting off several break points in the beginning of the first set to hold his serve against the world number one player.
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The Serbian star, who is eying his 18th Grand Slam title, finally broke his less experienced rival to take a 5-3 lead, but failed to hold his lead, as Khachanov immediately returned the break.
However, Khachanov’s efforts to tie the set appeared in vain as he again lost his serve, committing a double fault at the decisive moment to hand Djokovic the opening set.
In the second set the Russian player again struggled on his serve allowing Djokovic to take a 4-1 lead, which he didn’t squander.
Going ?@DjokerNole sits a set away from punching his ticket to the final ?#RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/WC8hpknRee
Khachanov saved several set points on his serve to cut the gap, but his efforts to make a comeback were ruined by Djokovic’s precise and powerful hits as the 33-year-old sealed the set 6-3.
Djokovic continued dominating in the third set, converting a break-point in the opening game and holding his serve to create a 2-0 advantage.
The Russian ace revived some intrigue to the match by breaking Djokovic in the fourth game to level the score at 2-2.
Just keeps winning ?@DjokerNole defeats Khachanov 6-4 6-3 6-3 to reach a 14th quarter-final in Paris and tie Rafael Nadal for the most all-time.#RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/dSDwMQEKTM
But Djokovic stepped up the tempo when it was needed most, restoring his lead and sealing the set 6-3, and with it a well-deserved victory.
The Serb advanced to the French Open quarterfinal where he will face the winner of the match between Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Germany’s Daniel Altmaier
