Paris: Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the French Open with a commanding straight-sets victory over local favourite Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) in a night session encounter at Court Suzanne Lenglen on Thursday.
The Serbian ace, seeking his fourth Roland Garros crown and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, was in clinical touch throughout the contest, silencing a partisan French spectators with his trademark baseline precision and superior shot selection.
Despite the electrifying atmosphere created by home fans rallying behind Moutet, Djokovic remained composed. He broke the Frenchman’s serve five times during the match while saving three of the five break points he faced.
Though Moutet showed flashes of brilliance and even took the third set to a tiebreak, Djokovic tightened the screws in the decider, running away with it 7-1. The 37-year-old struck five aces and committed just two double faults, while winning a total of 120 points to Moutet’s 93.
“I’m happy with the way I played, especially in the first two sets,” said Djokovic after the match. “Corentin is a tough opponent with the crowd behind him, but I stayed focused and raised my level when it mattered.”
Djokovic will face the winner of the match between Lorenzo Musetti and Gaël Monfils in the third round.
