Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal remain on course for a quarter-final clash at the French Open after the defending champion and the 13-time champion coasted past their opponents in the third round at Roland Garros.
Djokovic powered past Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 6-3 6-3 6-2. The top seed and world number one was on the court for less than two hours and next plays 15th seed Diego Schwartzmann of Argentina in his title defence.
Bedene, ranked 195th in the world after an eight-month layoff and a return to action in March, was no match for Djokovic's power and near-flawless service games.
The Serb wasted three break points at 2-1 in the first set but he quickly got another chance to breeze through it in just over 30 minutes.
He got two more breaks in the second to clinch it as quickly as the first, with Bedene failing to carve out a single break chance throughout the match, and winning just five points on Djokovic's serve in the first two sets.
The third set went in similar fashion, with Djokovic breaking early and Bedene, who made twice as many unforced errors as his opponent, failing to respond before the Serb wrapped up proceedings when the Slovenian sunk a forehand into the net
Placement perfection 🎯
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022
The world No.1 extends his lead over Bedene 2-0. #RolandGarros | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/85onV1L8vz
Nadal will face Canadian ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime after recording a 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory over Botic van de Zandschulp on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Auger-Aliassime had to work hard to edge out Serbian Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 in three tight sets.
The two star attractions in the tournament have yet to drop a set and have lost just 23 games apiece so far. Nadal has lost his serve five times – including during a mild final-set hiccup against Van De Zandschulp, and Djokovic only twice.
In the most prolific rivalry in men’s tennis, Djokovic has 30 wins to Nadal’s 28 ahead of the eagerly-anticipated 59th instalment.
Nadal's match against Auger-Aliassime throws up an intriguing sub-plot as Toni Nadal, the uncle who guided Rafa to so much success, is currently Auger-Aliassime’s coach.
But the world number five insisted there would be no family rift ahead of the match.
"I already talked with Toni after my match," he said. "I know you are going to ask the question, but for me it’s very simple.
"He’s my uncle. I don’t think he will be able to want me to lose, without a doubt, but he’s a professional and he’s with another player.
"I don’t know what’s going to happen, if he’s going to stay in the box or not, but I don’t care. I have zero problem with that. So it’s not a story at all for me. I know what’s the feelings that we have between each other.
"I know he wants the best for me. Now he’s helping another player. But honestly, for me, it’s zero problem and I know he wants the best for me."
Canadian Auger-Aliassime expects his coach to step aside for this particular encounter.
"It was black and white from the first time we started working together, we knew it was a possibility that eventually I would play Rafa when I’m working with Toni," he said.
"But I think Toni will watch from a neutral place and enjoy the match."
Defying physics 📐@RafaelNadal | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/L1WrV5aY0l
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022
Alexander Zverev muscled his way into the fourth round of the French Open with a no-nonsense 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 7-6 (7-5) victory over American Brandon Nakashima.
It was a welcome change for the German third seed, who had to save a match point in a five-set thriller in the previous round at Roland Garros.
"I raised my level a lot today, it was a different match. I prefer this. This is much better for me, I don't lose too much hair. The atmosphere was amazing," said Zverev, who will next take on Spanish qualifier Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
