French Open 2025 Men’s Day 9

Novak Djokovic dismantled Cam Norrie on Monday as the three-time champion began the second week of the French Open with an impressive 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory.

The 38-year-old is on a mission at Roland Garros to win the 100th title of his career and join the rare air enjoyed by Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors, the only other members of the elite 100 club.

His defeat of Norrie in two and a quarter hours was also his 100th win at Roland Garros, where he first competed 20 years ago..

Djokovic ran his record against Briton Norrie to 6-0 with the straight-sets beatdown where he hit 26 winners and broke seven times.     

Fifth seed Jack Draper was sent packing, with winner Alexander Bublik close to tears after his 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 fightback which ended British involvement for this edition.

Bublik, one of the more colourful personalities on the Tour, saved five break points as he served for the win, achieving it on his second match point as Draper returned long after two and a half hours.

“Sometimes there is only one chance in life – I had the feeling that this one was mine,” he said.  “I could not let it slip. This is the best moment of my life.”

As his emotions began to take hold, the Lenglen court crowd bought him some time through sustained applause and chants.

“I’m standing here like I won the thing (entire tournament). I can’t cry here, let me be in peace.

“I’m a professional, I have another match to go, let me get ready.”

Djokovic claims that he’s far from done on court and is looking ahead to his next success –  hopefully in the quarter-finals.

“There are a lot of expectations on my shoulders to play well,” the 24-time Grand Slam singles winner said.

“!00 is a very nice number but No. 101 would be even sweeter. It’s not over 

for me, there are still matches to be played and I’m working for the next victory.”

Djokovic is the oldest Paris quarter-finalist since 1971 and will be playing at that stage here for the 16th straight year.

Alexander Zverev, the 2024 runner-up and Djokovic’s next opponent, advanced as opponent Tallon Griekspoor quit with injury midway through their second set to send the German third seed into the quarters 6-4, 3-0 after just 51 minutes of play.

“This morning in the warm-up with the last couple of serves that I hit, I pulled my abdominal, which kept me from not serving full and not being able to compete the way I would like,” the disappointed Dutchman said.

“This was probably one of the biggest matches of my life against an opponent

that I like to play on a beautiful court. 

“I just wanted to give it a shot, but yeah, realised pretty early that it was
not going to be my day.”

Zverev claimed an 8-2 lead in the pair’s career series, advancing to his 7th Roland Garros quarter-final in the last eight years.

The seed said he noticed immediately that his opponent was not on top form.

“He still started off very strong, up 3-0 but I could see he was serving not the normal speeds on the first serve.

“But from the baseline still there were some good rallies, some good tennis. But  of course, the serve was a massive factor.”

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic dispatched Cam Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd