Djokovic into record 19th quarter-final

AFP | Paris

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Novak Djokovic eased into a record-breaking 19th Roland Garros quarter-final with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Cameron Norrie yesterday.

The three-time French Open champion will renew his rivalry with third seed Alexander Zverev in the last eight on Wednesday after seeing off Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

His tally of 19 quarter-final appearances at Roland Garros is the record for a single Grand Slam tournament.

“I feel good. I know I can play better. But 12 sets played, 12 sets won, it’s been solid so far,” said the 38-year-old after his 100th French Open win.

“It’s great, but victory number 101 would be better. I’m very honoured... But I need to continue now.”

Djokovic holds an 8-5 winning record in his head-to-head with German Zverev, but retired injured from their last meeting in the Australian Open semi-finals in January.

Britain’s Norrie, a former top10 player now ranked 81st, has lost all six of his career matches against Djokovic.

The Serb, hoping to set a new outright record of 25 Grand Slam titles this week, dominated from the start.

He broke serve three times in a one-sided opening set, before battling through a closer second, crucially saving a break point before holding for a 3-2 lead.

Norrie, playing in the second week in Paris for the first time, mustered little resistance in the third set as Djokovic wrapped up victory on his first match point.

French world number 361 Lois Boisson sent shockwaves through Roland Garros yesterday by knocking out third seed Jessica Pegula to become the first home quarter-finalist since 2017, with Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva also reaching the last eight.

Boisson, 22, came from a set down against last year’s US Open runner-up as the wild - card recipient completed an improbable 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win to prolong her dream run on her Grand Slam debut.

She is the first French singles quarter-finalist in Paris since Caroline Garica and Kristina Mladenovic made it to the same stage eight years ago. Mary Pierce was the tournament’s last French champion in 2000.

“I really don’t know what to say,” said Boisson, who was roared on by the home fans on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“To play on this court with such an atmosphere was incredible. I was confident before the match and knew I could do it even if she was really strong.

“I gave everything I had and it worked, it’s incredible.”

Boisson missed last year’s French Open after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee a week before it started.

She goes on to face 18-yearold Russian rising star Andreeva on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals.

Sixth seed Andreeva moved through in straight sets as she cut short an attempted fightback by Daria Kasatkina to advance 6-3, 7-5. “It was a hell of a match,” said Andreeva.

“Honestly I’m so so happy I won, I hate playing against her, we practise a lot and even practice is a torture for me.”

Andr eva is through to her second major quarter-final, having reached the last four at Roland Garros 12 months ago when she knocked out Aryna Sabalenka.

World number two Gauff brushed Russian 20th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova aside 6-0, 7-5 to step up her pursuit of a first Roland Garros crown, and second Grand Slam title.

“It was tough. The whole match I think I played well to be honest,” said Gauff, a losing finalist in Paris in 2022.

Former US Open champion Gauff will play reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in an all-American quarter-final.

Eighth-ranked Keys saw off unseeded compatriot Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 7-5.

Alexander Zverev took his place in the men’s quarter-finals when Dutch opponent Tallon Griekspoor retired with an abdominal injury while trailing 6-4, 3-0.

The German third seed is still hunting a first Grand Slam title. He lost last year’s final to Carlos Alcaraz and then finished runner-up to Jannik Sinner in Melbourne.