Novak Djokovic reaches French Open quarter-finals after beating Fernando Verdasco
Monday 4 June 2018 13:39, UK
Novak Djokovic beat Fernando Verdasco in straight sets to reach the French Open quarter-finals.
The Serbian, champion at Roland Garros in 2016, wasn't broken by the Spanish veteran in a resounding 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory.
Djokovic, who arrived in the French capital short of form and confidence, has only lost one set on his run to the last eight of the tournament and will next meet Marco Cecchinato after the world No 72 defeated David Goffin 7-5 4-6 6-0 6-3.
The opening three games of the first set were an attritional affair as both players had opportunities to secure an early break, but Djokovic's ability to lose only one point on his second serve proved telling.
Djokovic increased his control on the match with two breaks of the Verdasco serve, with both players hitting 12 winners, which struggled to cause undue strain on the 12-time Grand Slam champion.
The 20th seed maintained his ascendancy against an increasingly laboured Verdasco to secure a sixth consecutive win against the 34-year-old, who was seeking a first appearance in the quarter-finals in Paris.
Djokovic will next meet a maiden Grand Slam quarter-finalist after Cecchinato caused a major surprise to knock out Belgium's Goffin in a four-set two hour and 31 minute encounter.
After the opening two sets were shared in tight fashion, the Italian mixed 11 winners with only four unforced errors to win the third set without dropping a game.
Cecchinato continued to excel behind his first serve and held his nerve at key stages to continue his memorable run in the French capital.
