The two-time champion registered his most comprehensive victory when he got past Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to reach a record 17th Roland Garros quarter-final. He overtook Rafael Nadal for the most Roland Garros Quarter-Finals in history. Novak Djokovic dominated his No. 94-ranked opponent on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he struck the ball cleanly off both wings throughout his one-hour, 57-minute victory. He smashed 35 winners and converted six of the 12 break points he earned to book a clash against Karen Khachanov in the last eight of the French Open 2023 in Paris.
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The 22-time grand slam Champion was pushed extremely hard by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his previous match and struggled physically but there were no such concerns in this victory against Juan Pablo Varillas.
French Open 2023: Novak Djokovic after the match
“Great energy on the court, from the crowd and myself as well. I really enjoyed it, my best performance in the tournament so far. It came exactly at the right time, as I’m coming into the second week and obviously playing another quarter-final, the matches are going to get tougher. Bigger challenges, but I like the way I’m playing and the way I’m feeling, so I look forward to a new challenge,” said Djokovic after the match.
Novak Djokovic overtakes Rafael Nadal for the most #RolandGarros Quarter-Finals in history! 👏 pic.twitter.com/S9n6F7EW4E
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 4, 2023
Novak Djokovic can hold his third Roland Garros crown this time while he would also return to No. 1 in the ATP Rankings by lifting the trophy.
“Definitely better than I did in the last couple of months,” said Djokovic. “The past 10 days have been the best that I have felt since the Australian Open, so that’s good. That’s positive news. I just have to keep going and not allow myself to think too far [ahead], but I’m on a good path.”
