Roland Garros 2024 Men’s Day 5

Novak Djokovic stepped up his Roland Garros title defence with a commanding 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory to reach the third round in Paris on a rainy Thursday.

The three-time Paris champion dispatched Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in three sets as the Serb seeks his first title of 2024.

The consistent top seed has reached the third round here for the 19th consecutive time after a match played  under the roof of the Charier showcourt.

The last two or three days have been tough for the public with the weather,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner said. 

“I’m glad we were able to play under the roof.

“It was a good match, Robereto is a precision player with a lot of quality. He makes minimum errors,  I really had to work for my points.

“In the last set I played really well and lifted my game. I’m content with my performance today.”

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev, semi-finalist at the last three Paris editions, followed up on his first-round knockout of Rafael Nadal by repeating the victory scenario 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-2 over David Goffin.

The German winner spent almost two and a half hours in assuring a place in the third round thanks to 37 winners and four breaks of the Belgian’s serve.

The Rome champion has now won his last eight matches as he defeated former quarter-finalist Goffin in their sixth meeting.

“Maybe I didnt’ play my nest in the beginning,” Zverev said. “his game in uncomfortable for me.

“It was not easy at times but I managed to get through and I’m happy that I did.

The winner said he would have preferred more favourable conditions.

“The warmer it is the better for my game. I still managed well todya.

“Of course we would all prefer sunshine but that’s something we cannot control.”

Daniil Medvedev only needed an abbreviated session on the covered Lenglen court as Serb Miomir Kecmanovic retired injured after just 55 minutes to hand the fifth seed a 6-1, 5-0 win.

Kecmanovic, ranked 57th, was unable to go on as he trailed a set and two breaks against the seed whose weakest Grand Slam has always been Paris.

The challenger asked for the trainer in the second set and retired two games later.

Medvedev said he had no idea of the situation on the other side of the net.

” I didn’t know he was injured. Of course you want your opponent to be full shape, healthy. 

“It’s unfortunate that he didn’t feel good. I don’t know what exactly he had, so I hope nothing serious. 

“But I was happy with my level and looking forward to the next matches. We were a bit lucky with all the weather to be finished with good timing.”

Some matches were completed during various dry spells, with Italian Matteo Arnaldi defeating Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-4, 6-1, 6-3.

Sebastian Korda beat Korea’s 494-ranked Soonwoo Kwon 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. Tenth seed Grigor Dimitrov took advantage of a break in the weather to stop Fabian Maroszan 6-0, 6-3, 6-4.

As the weather cleared in early evening, Polish eighth seed Huber tHurkacz finished off a 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (5) defeat of Brandon Nakashima of the US, firing 16 aces.

Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime put out German qualifier Henri squire 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.