French Open: Novak Djokovic defeats Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets to reach third round at Roland Garros | Tennis News
- Jody
- 0
Novak Djokovic won 14 of the last 17 games to comfortably dispose of Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets in their second-round clash at the French Open.
A vintage display from Djokovic saw the defending champion and world No 1 break Carballes Baena’s serve five consecutive times at one point on his way to an emphatic 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory.
Djokovic was, though, made to work very hard by the unseeded Spaniard in the first set, being broken in the opening game before replying in kind.
Leading 5-4 on serve, Djokovic then earned the crucial break to take the first set and the blow proved too great for Carballes Baena to recover from, as he was broken a further four times on his way to losing the second set 6-1.
The pair’s previous two encounters were both at hard-court majors but the outcome was no different on the Parisian clay as Djokovic sauntered ahead 5-1 in the third set on his way to a convincing victory
The Serb, looking to extend his record haul of 24 Grand Slam titles with a fourth crown at Roland Garros, will next face either Gael Monfils or 30th seed Lorenzo Musetti.
Straight-set victory for Zverev over Goffin
World No 4 Alexander Zverev also reached the third round with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-2 victory over experienced Belgian David Goffin on Thursday.
The German, who ousted 14-times champion Rafael Nadal in the opening round, had to work hard to win the first set tiebreak but broke early in the second.
Former quarter-finalist Goffin nearly broke Zverev’s serve in the fourth game but the German held firm, mixing up his game well to close out the match.
This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Allow Cookies Once
“I was happy that I ran away with it but also happy that I played well,” said Zverev, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the 2022 French Open semi-finals.
Zverev will now face Italian Luciano Darderi or Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev is also through to the third round after his opponent Miomir Kecmanovic retired during the second set of their match, when trailing 6-1 5-0.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
In the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the grass-court season.
- Stuttgart Open (ATP 250 with Andy Murray in action) – June 10-16
- Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.