PARIS (France): Novak Djokovic on Monday racked up his 35th win of 2020 and a place in Roland Garros quarterfinals for the 14th time with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
The world number one, chasing a second title in Paris and 18th career Grand Slam, goes on to face either Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta or unseeded Daniel Altmaier of Germany for a place in the semi-finals.
Djokovic, who hit 44 winners, has yet to drop a set in the tournament, losing just 25 games in four rounds.
“It was a tight match and I am happy to win in straight sets,” said the world number one who has now reached 47 quarter-finals at the Slams. It will also be his 11th in a row in Paris.
He had a heart-stopping moment in the first set when he stretched for a forehand and was unable to avoid seeing the ball accidentally hit a line judge.
The incident came just weeks after he was defaulted at the US Open for swiping at a ball which felled a line judge standing behind him.
