Novak Djokovic powers into quarter-finals with win over Fernando Verdasco
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ByEurosport
Updated 03/06/2018 at 19:33 GMT
Novak Djokovic reached a record 12th French Open quarter-final with a comfortable 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory over an ailing Fernando Verdasco at Roland Garros.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco during their men's singles fourth round match on day eight of The Roland Garros 2018 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 3, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
The 2016 champion enjoyed a sixth straight win over the 30th seed to equal Roger Federer's haul of nine successive appearances in the quarter-finals.
12-times Grand Slam winner Djokovic looked back to some of his best form in recent times, and certainly looks a better player than his seeding of 20 in the French capital as he reached his first major quarter-final since Wimbledon 11 months ago.
Djokovic had not lost to Verdasco since 2010, and the 34-year-old Spanish player's problems intensified when he needed treatment for a blister on a foot at the end of the second set.
Djokovic will face Italy's world number 72 Marco Cecchinato - a shock 7-5 4-6 6-0 6-3 winner over eighth seed David Goffin - as he attempts to secure a semi-final meeting with world number two Alexander Zverev or Dominic Thiem.
The Serb was given a ferocious fight in the early stages with the opening three games lasting 29 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.
But what looked like being a long evening for the 12-times Grand Slam champion ended up being a reasonably comfortable one as he kept Verdasco at arm's length.
One break of serve was enough to take the opening set and although left-hander Verdasco produced thunderous winners to stay in touch in the second his challenge soon faded.
After arriving in Paris with his lowest seeding since 2006 and his expectations not much higher, the former world number one appears to be rediscovering his mojo at the right time.
The draw has fallen in his favour with Verdasco having removed fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov and he had another slice of fortune on Sunday when eighth seed David Goffin was beaten by unheralded Italian Marco Cecchinato.
Cecchinato will hold few fears for Djokovic who moved up a gear against Verdasco -- a dangerous opponent who has three claycourt victories over the Serb.
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Highlights: Djokovic eases past Verdasco
Djokovic appeared to lose his footing a few times during the first and second sets of his 6-3 6-4 6-2 fourth-round win and he made his feelings known to the chair umpire.
"It was a very warm day, and after the first set they decided not to water the court, which I thought it was not the right decision," Djokovic told reporters after reaching his 12th quarter-final at Roland Garros.
"I just questioned the decision from the chair umpire, actually, that he's listening to the grounds people.
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'Can we use some common sense here?' - Djokovic not happy with officials
"What I don't like is that there is no participation of the players. So they don't ask players whether -- you know, we are the ones who are playing and sliding and not sliding, so we can give them the most important feedback.
"It doesn't seem like they care too much about our opinion, and that's something I don't like."
Verdasco saved a break point in a 22-point second game and exerted huge pressure on Djokovic in a marathon third game but could not convert two break points of his own.
The pace was getting to Verdasco and he hit a forehand long in the next game to give Djokovic a decisive break.
Verdasco recovered a break in the second set, forcing Djokovic to net a stretching volley.
Djokovic replied immediately, finding the baseline with a deep drive that forced a miss-hit from the Spaniard.
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Verdasco Roland Garros 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
Verdasco's hopes of reaching his first French Open quarter-final were sunk when Djokovic nailed down a break at the start of the third set before cruising to victory.
No other player has reached 12 French Open quarter-finals in the professional era, although 10-times champion Rafael Nadal can match Djokovic's feat if he wins on Monday.
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