(Paris) The Serbian Novak Djokovic, defending champion, was once again expeditious to join the round of 16 of the French Open.
Posted at 11:55 a.m.
Updated at 3:05 p.m.
Djokovic, the first seed, recorded another three-set victory, beating Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 on Philippe-Chatrier court.
In the next round, he will face Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, who beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.
Schwartzman is still looking for a first win in six meetings against Djokovic, but the Argentine pushed him to a five-legged match in Paris in 2017.
For his part, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal gave Botic van De Zandschulp no chance. The Mallorcan won 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4.
Photo ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT, Agence France-Presse
Rafael Nadal beat Botic van De Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
The women’s draw lost a new seed in No. 21 Angelique Kerber, who couldn’t do anything against Aliaksandra Sasnovich — 6-4, 7-6 (5) — who had already beaten Emma Raducanu in the second round.
The young 19-year-old American Coco Gauff scored an easy victory over Kaia Kanepi (6-3, 6-4) and she will find in the round of 16 Elise Mertens, who defeated Varvara Gracheva (6-2, 6 -3).
Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens defeated youngster Diane Parry 6-2 6-3.
The American was a runner-up in 2018 after triumphing at Flushing Meadows the previous year.
Stephens will now face the challenge of No. 23 Jil Teichmann, who stunned two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(5).
Teichmann totaled 53 game winners and committed 58 unforced errors against Azarenka, 15e first in the series.