PARIS, Oct 2: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round of the ongoing French Open after defeating Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis in straight sets.
On Thursday, the Serbian beat Berankis 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 23 minutes to improve his 2020 record to 33-1.
This was Djokovic�s 70th win at the Roland Garros, moving him into a tie for second-most all-time alongside Roger Federer. Only Spain�s Rafael Nadal (95) has more wins.
�Of course, winning that many matches on each Slam is a great achievement, and of course it makes me proud, makes me happy,� Djokovic said after the match as per the official tournament website. �I always aim to play my best tennis in Grand Slams. I think Federer, Nadal, the biggest players in the last 10, 15 years, aim to always play their best in slams,� he added.
The world number 1 will aim to get past Federer when he meets Colombian lucky loser Daniel Elahi Galan in the next round.
�I don�t know much about him, to be honest. I have never seen him play, so I�ll have to obviously look at his matches, the videos, and try to prepare myself with my team,� Djokovic said. �It�s always dangerous facing opponents you never faced before.�
US Open champion Dominic Thiem has advanced to the fourth round with another straight-sets win, beating Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 6-3, 6-1. Thiem was the losing finalist to Rafael Nadal at the last two French Opens.
Ruud was bidding to become only the second Norwegian to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam. The first was his father and coach, Christian Ruud, at the Australian Open in 1997. He was watching in the largely empty Court Philippe Chatrier as Thiem earned a straightforward victory in 2 hours, 15 minutes under the new roof.
Thiem sealed the win with an ace. The 27-year-old Austrian was broken just once when he sent a forehand wide to give Ruud a 3-1 lead in the first set.
Thiem immediately broke back and converted six of his 15 break points in all. He also saved seven of the eight break points he faced. � AP
