Alcaraz, Djokovic continue to cruise at Roland Garros

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are one round away from a potential semifinal showdown at the French Open.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov will have something to say about that in the quarterfinals, but for now the top two title favorites are on an absolute roll.

Alcaraz, the No. 1 seed, advanced to the last eight on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 destruction of Lorenzo Musetti. The 20-year-old Spaniard has dropped one set so far this fortnight (to Taro Daniel in the second round), but for the most part he has been in daunting form.

“I think I played such a great level,” Alcaraz assessed following Sunday’s victory. “A really high quality of shots, playing really aggressive. I think I played a really complete match, [from the] first ball to the last one, and I’m really happy to get through this really tough round against Lorenzo.”

Djokovic also won in routine fashion, which was expected given that the opponent was unheralded Juan Pablo Varillas. The Peruvian did extremely well to win back-to-back-to-back five-setters and enjoy a hard-earned place in the last 16 of a Grand Slam, but he was no match for Djokovic. After just one hour and 57 minutes, the 36-year-old Serb prevailed by the exact same 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 scoreline as Alcaraz.

“[There was] great energy on the court, from the crowd and myself, as well,” Djokovic commented. “I really enjoyed it; my best performance in the tournament so far.

“It came exactly at the right time, as I’m coming in to the second week and obviously playing another quarter-final, the matches are going to get tougher. Bigger challenges, but I like the way I’m playing and the way I’m feeling, so I look forward to a new challenge.”

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