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Novak Djokovic made it into the third round of the French Open 2021 with a win in straight sets (6: 3, 6: 2, 6: 4) over Pablo Cuevas at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris.
Djokovic, who won his only French Open title in 2016, showed strong form at the start by winning six straight sets to open the second Grand Slam tournament of the season. When he won the second round on Thursday, he had 32 winners and 10 aces.
The number 1 in the men’s draw meets Ricardas Berankis in round 3.
Djokovic started the clay court season slowly with defeats to Daniel Evans in the round of 16 of the Monte Carlo Masters and Aslan Karatsev in the semi-finals of the Serbia Open. He recovered to reach the Rome Masters final – lost to Rafael Nadal – and won the Belgrade Open title.
The 18-time major champion seemed prepared for a deep run in his first two games in Paris.
Roland Garros @Roland Garros
No sweat @DjokerNole ends his 350th Grand Slam match with an ace and races past Cuevas with 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. A 3R meeting with Berankis awaits you. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/eQK1qH9CF5
In his victory over Tennys Sandgren in the opening round, he lost just eight games, counted 33 winners and took five breaks to get through in less than two hours.
It was rather the same efficiency of the 34-year-old Serb against Cuevas.
Djokovic was in total control practically throughout the game. He won 69 percent of the points on his serve, 45 percent of the points on the return and used five of his eight break chances to advance.
“He has a lot of power and spin on both the forehand and backhand, but I stayed focused and I think the third set was really difficult for me,” said Djokovic said. “I improved my game. I stayed focused. I found my serve when it was important.”
Roland Garros @Roland Garros
Eiskalt ❄️ @ DjokerNole fends off 3 breakpoints to win the opener 6: 3 over Cuevas. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/xC3N3I4HFr
For his part, Cuevas didn’t play badly against the world’s best player. The 35-year-old Uruguayan journeyman recorded more winners (31) than casual mistakes (26) and generated nine break chances. However, he only converted one, which put off any thought of a serious offer.
Djokovic will also be a strong favorite in the third round. He has won all three of his previous meetings with Berankis (30) without losing a set. That includes a dominant 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over the native Lithuanian at the French Open last year.
The street numbers are becoming more difficult for Djokovic, however, as Nadal and Roger Federer are in his half of the brackets under the marquee names.
