Novak Djokovic has been blemishless at the French Open so far, but real test begins with quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev

Indian Express

2 days ago

Despite the carnival of emotions that Novak Djokovic has been through in recent weeks, his form at the French Open has been faultless.
The 24-time Major winner was rolled out to bid farewell to Rafael Nadal in a ceremony at the start of last week, and recorded a message for the departing Richard Gasquet as well. He has hired and fired former rival-cum-friend Andy Murray as his coach. He has dealt with a serious thigh injury that halted the momentum he had garnered in reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open. He toiled, for nearly a year, to win his 100th career title, which he finally grasped in Geneva last week, just before Roland Garros.
To sum up, the Serb has won everything there is to win in the sport, is saying goodbyes to his former rivals in tearful farewells, and dealing with the inevitable toll that age is taking on his already-worn-down 38-year-old body. Excuse him if the task of winning a fourth title on the unforgiving clay of Roland Garros may feel out of reach, not even part of his remaining ambitions.
But to give up on Djokovic's chances at a Major, when history is on the line, is to underestimate the most unconventional of tennis champions, as has often happened in the career of men's tennis' greatest-ever player. This time around, over four matches, 12 sets have been won by controlling the controllables, limiting errors, and fine-tuning his game. Also, no grimaces have been pointed to gutsy rivals or chattering crowds.
'I feel good, I expect each day to play better and better. I've played 12 really good, solid sets so far and everything is looking good,' Djokovic said after sidestepping Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 to reach a record 19th quarterfinal, the most a male player has managed at Roland Garros. With a 100th win at the French Open, he also became only the second player (behind Nadal's 112) to cross the triple-figure mark at the clay Slam.
A month ago, the Serb was winless in three matches, with two first-round losses in Masters 1000 events on clay. The buzz around him had been minimal, some had claimed he need not even be considered a contender in Paris. But 10 days into the tournament and Alexander Zverev, the third seed and last year's runner-up, is certain he does not arrive into Wednesday's quarterfinal as the favourite.
'The guy won 24 Grand Slams. He's never going to be a (dark) horse. He definitely knows how to play tennis,' Zverev was quoted as saying by AP. 'He definitely knows what it means to be on the big stage and to play big matches. There is no doubt about that.'
Hitting form at the right time by winning matches first in Geneva and then taking advantage of weaker opposition in the first four rounds, Djokovic has found his feet on clay. But the real test will begin now, with the Serb having to potentially face the three best players in the world if he is to leave the French capital with a record-extending 25th Major.
If the next hurdle is crossed, World No.1 Jannik Sinner, who has won 30 of his last 31 matches and is on an 18-match winning streak at Majors, may lie in wait in the semifinal. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz may be the opposition in the final.
It was Zverev who took advantage of Djokovic's injury in Melbourne earlier this year, their semifinal only lasting a set before the Serb was forced to retire. But against the 28-year-old German, he holds the edge in head-to-head contests, leading 8-5. Zverev's big-hitting game, aided by a dominant and accurate first serve, finds the right counter with Djokovic's elite returning and his ability to take Zverev's strong backhand head on in crosscourt exchanges.
Where Djokovic has been particularly good in this tournament so far is in sticking tight to the baseline and taking the ball early, which may not bode well for Zverev's rather one-dimensional baseline power game.
But despite all strengths and weaknesses laid out, Zverev represents a significant level up in challenge for Djokovic, against whom his genuine title credentials will be put to the test. Predictably, he remains in contention, but Wednesday's highly-anticipated quarterfinal will show to what extent, especially with the high bar set by Sinner and Alcaraz. Not quite king versus regicide yet, but an enthralling contest can be expected nonetheless.