Novak Djokovic preparing for French Open third-round match against Salvatore Caruso
"There is a shift of generations and new players coming up. Again, I'm going to have to do my homework, do analysis on him"
Friday 31 May 2019 12:34, UK
Novak Djokovic's French Open has been something of a magical mystery tour so far and that will continue after his convincing win over Swiss Henri Laaksonen.
The 32-year-old world No 1 will now face Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso on Saturday - his third consecutive match against a player he has never previously faced.
His first round saw him ease past Poland's Hubert Hurkacz and on Thursday he got his first look at 104th-ranked Laaksonen - brushing him aside in clinical fashion 6-1 6-4 6-3.
It will be another step into the unknown, so to speak, when he lines up against 147th-ranked Caruso.
"It's really interesting, third match in a row that I get to play against someone that I have never faced before in a match," Djokovic, bidding to win a second French title and hold all four Grand Slams simultaneously for the second time.
"But that's good, because there is a shift of generations and new players coming up. Again, I'm going to have to do my homework, do analysis on him.
"I watched him play a little bit today when I was waiting for my match. He came from qualifications. He won what, now, five matches? So there is a lot of confidence."
It has certainly been a gentle start for Djokovic, as it has been for his title rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer with that trio winning all 18 sets they have played so far.
Djokovic dropped only three points on serve in the opening set against Laaksonen.
There was a brief loss of focus when Djokovic was broken to love midway though the second set but he was quickly back in the groove to move two sets ahead. He then polished off the third set in 24 minutes.
"I played as much as I need to play to win in straight sets," said the 15-time Grand Slam champion,
"So all is going in the right direction. It's still early in the tournament, you know, but I do have high ambitions for this tournament. Grand Slams are the tournaments where I want to play my best, and hopefully get a chance to fight for the title."
We have the 2019 French Open covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.
