This is an article ‘Djokovic is Back On Track With 13th Straight RG Quarterfinal’ by Marc Pulisci
Putting Diego Schwartzman to the test and making the Argentine earn every point, world number 1 Novak Djokovic trapped his opponent behind the baseline for a convincing 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 triumph that sent him straight to his 13th consecutive French Open quarterfinal. With a single drop shot winner, the hungry champion is out to regain his momentum after a challenging start in the 2022 season.
Displaying his agility with creative and fluid motion throughout the match, Djokovic trapped Schwartzman at the corners to cap his 9th straight win in straight sets on the clay court. During the post-match interview, the former number 1 told reporters that he had always prioritized grand slam events and was delighted to capture his brand of consistency throughout the years. Many didn't doubt how the Serbian is poised to take his 21st grand slam in Paris this year. His performance during his previous outings seemed all upward for the champion as the French Open went underway.
Back on track in the grand slam route
With his unbreakable dominance over his previous opponents, Djokovic registered an impressive career record of 85 wins against 15 losses in his French Open matches. His victory over Schwartzman gets him closer to a dream match against Spanish superstar and lone 21-grand slam title holder Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.
Before facing Schwartzman for the quarterfinal spot, the Serbian champion faced ATP world number 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime in a grueling five-set match that lasted nearly four and a half hours. This match was only the third time Djokovic went the full five-set distance at the French Open, but he was able to maintain his composure to end the match with a win, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Facing Nadal, who he has an advantage over on the Roland Garros clay courts 30-28, Djokovic will be coming out more well-rested than the Spanish champion, who is still currently nursing a chronic foot injury. Last year, the Serbian defeated the Spaniard 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 in the same tournament's semifinal round. Djokovic eventually secured the year's title for his 20th grand slam, forging a triple tie among the Big Three of tennis– Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer.
Forging an epic duel with Rafael Nadal
However, Nadal has also set his sights on his 14th French Open title, exhibiting extreme grit during his championship win in the first grand slam of the year against world number 1 Daniil Medvedev, 2–6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–4, 7–5, at the Australian Open.
Nadal has also marked his best start to an ATP Tour season this year by coming out on top of his first 20 matches while capturing three titles in a row. No doubt, Djokovic has a lot on his hands in preparing for their quarterfinal match.
During their early matchups at the clay courts of the French Open, Djokovic struggled to earn a win against Nadal, having been defeated six times before his straight-set victory in the tournament's quarterfinal match in 2015.
Somehow, Court Philippe Chatrier has not been a welcoming home for the Serbian champion more than it is to Nadal, who is dubbed the undisputed King of Clay. With an unparalleled record of 106-3 at Roland Garros, Nadal has put himself in the leader's chair with the most wins in the celebrated tournament.
On the other hand, Djokovic suffered epic defeats at the previous French Open finals. Mostly against Nadal in 2012 and 2014, and another against Stan Wawrinka in 2015. The following year, the Serbian performed his best outing on the clay surface of Court Philippe Chatrier when he faced Andy Murray in four sets, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, emerging with his first Roland Garros title and completing a career grand slam.
Still, every fan knows that one of Djokovic's most significant challenges is the French Open, but he is getting closer to perfecting his game for the tournament. With how he secured the title last year, many hope that Djokovic's jinx at Roland Garros has finally ended.
The quarterfinal match
Tuesday's quarterfinal match gave a championship vibe even before the opening point. Last year, Djokovic defeated Nadal in their semifinal match to capture the French Open title. Still, the Spaniard is not ready to relinquish his King of Clay title and record-setting 13 titles. All numbers show Djokovic had the advantage with a 30-28 lead over Nadal and entering as the ATP's top-ranked player.
As expected by many, Nadal came out swinging, taking the opening set 6-2. Of the four break points Nadal created, each won two apiece but the Spaniard by winning most of the 10-second serve points. Djokovic went on to break Nadal thrice during the second set, reminiscent of their past French Open matchup.
By the third set, Nadal had regained his composure and took the lead, two sets to one. However, Djokovic had other plans in the fourth set, seemingly leading the match to a decisive fifth but failed to maintain his form during a break as Nadal's serves forced a tiebreak. And just like that, the highly-anticipated quarterfinal match ended in the fourth, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4).
Looking back, Nadal won 71% of his first serves and went ahead with seven of his break points, proving to all tennis fans that he remains the King of Clay.
With the way their epic match panned out, it will do Djokovic some good to work on his backhand, having some shots landing into the net or wide to the sideline each time he looked to score some winners. With 53 forced errors, just ten more than Nadal registered during the match; no one can say that Djokovic did not show such an outstanding performance.
As this year's struggle to win the next grand slam continues for Djokovic, fans are still optimistic that the champion is more on an upward trajectory than a downward spiral. He had expected Nadal to be ready for their epic quarterfinal match and did not take it lightly despite having more rest leading up to their face-off. Nonetheless, the Serbian superstar says he is ready to continue this year's tour and is in high spirits about gaining another grand slam title.
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