Roland-Garros: Djokovic cruises through to third round over Fucsovics

Novak Djokovic continued his campaign for a third Roland-Garros title by outclassing Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (2), 6-0, 6-3 to advance to the third round.

The first set was a tricky affair for the world No. 3, who was given a stern test by the big-hitting and supremely fit Fucsovics.

Djokovic moved a break up and served for the set at 5-3, only for his Hungarian opponent to ramp up his level when it mattered, breaking the Serb before holding and taking Djokovic into a tiebreak.

But Novak’s experience came to the fore and he raced through the tiebreak before wrapping up the second set without the drop of a game.

Despite some late rallying by Fucsovics, who broke again as Djokovic served for the match, ultimately it was the enduring quality of the 22-time Grand Slam champion that shone through for a straightforward three set win.

Despite all his experience, Djokovic later told the media that he still gets nervous during matches, but added that it only points to him caring about playing and winning.

“If I’m not nervous on the court, there is two reasons, or I’m very loose and comfortable and confident, or I don’t care much about playing or winning. Nervousness is part of my job, is part of what I do. Sometimes I express it; sometimes I internalize it. At times, I chat with myself. At times I chat with my team. Important thing is that whatever happens, that you manage to kind of regroup and go ahead in the right direction,” the Serb said.

Djokovic will face Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the 29th seed, next as he continues to build momentum in his campaign for a record-setting 23rd men’s Grand Slam singles title.

Paris (Grand Slam), other second-round results (Stade Roland-Garros, clay, EUR 49.600.000, most recent results first):

• Holger Rune vs. Gael Monfils
• Alexander Zverev vs. Alex Molcan
• Arthur Rinderknech vs. Taylor Fritz
• Francisco Cerundolo vs. Yannick Hanfmann
• Marcos Giron vs. Jiri Lehecka
• Tommy Paul vs. Nicolas Jarry
• Genaro Alberto Olivieri vs. Andrea Vavassori
• Guido Pella vs. Thiago Seyboth Wild
• Aslan Karatsev vs. Frances Tiafoe
• Thiago Agustin Tirante vs. Zhizhen Zhang
• Yoshihito Nishioka vs. Max Purcell
• Emil Ruusuvuori vs. Grigor Dimitrov
• Jannik Sinner vs. Daniel Altmaier
• Giulio Zeppieri vs. Casper Ruud
• Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs. Alex De Minaur
• Borna Coric vs. Pedro Cachin
• Lorenzo Musetti (17) beat Alexander Shevchenko: 6-1, 6-1, 6-2
• Andrey Rublev (7) beat Corentin Moutet: 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
• Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Luca Van Assche: 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6)
• Cameron Norrie (14) beat Lucas Pouille (Q): 6-1, 6-3, 6-3
• Hubert Hurkacz (13) beat Tallon Griekspoor: 6-3, 5-7, 6-7 (13), 7-6 (5), 6-4
• Karen Khachanov (11) beat Radu Albot (Q): 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
• Carlos Alcaraz (1) beat Taro Daniel: 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
• Juan Pablo Varillas beat Roberto Bautista Agut (19): 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1
• Denis Shapovalov (26) beat Matteo Arnaldi: 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
• Diego Schwartzman beat Nuno Borges: 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-3
• Thanasi Kokkinakis (WC) beat Stan Wawrinka: 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3
• Lorenzo Sonego beat Ugo Humbert: 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (3)
• Fabio Fognini beat Jason Kubler: 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-2
• Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) beat Roberto Carballes Baena: 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2
• Sebastian Ofner (Q) beat Sebastian Korda (24): 6-3, 7-6 (1), 6-4