Favorites Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz Cruise Into French R16; Medvedev, Tsitsipas Sat.

The third round of the men’s draw opened with mostly blowouts.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were dominant in wins today. Djokovic manhandled Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 to win his 8th straight match and 19 straight sets.

“It’s subjective. You can’t play a perfect match but you always try to play close to perfection. I have big expectations on my level every day, whenever I enter a tennis court, when I am at training, to try and play my aggressive tennis. It’s not always possible but today, I did really well,” said Djokovic.

“I have grown in Serbia playing a lot on this surface. But all tournaments are different. Here in Paris, the courts are perfect. It is a very high standard, it’s one of the greatest tournaments in the world so motivation is easy to find.”

While Djokovic won Chatrier, Nadal kept his record perfect on Lenglen dispatching of US Open quarterfinalist Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

“Today has been a very good test and very positive test, because I was able to play my best match of the tournament so far, without any doubt,” Nadal said. “For two sets and a half I was playing at a very positive level.”

Next up for Rafa, though, is Felix Auger Aliassime who is being coached by his uncle, Toni Nadal. Rafa has no issues with facing Toni.

“I already talked with Toni after my match,” Nadal said. “For me it’s very simple. He’s my uncle. I don’t think he will be able to want me to lose, without a doubt, but he’s a professional and he’s with another player. I don’t know what’s going to happen, if he’s going to stay in the box or not, but I don’t care. I have zero problem with that. So it’s not a story at all for me.

“I know the feelings that we have between each other. I know he wants the best for me. Now he’s helping another player. But honestly, for me, it’s zero problem, and I know he wants the best for me.”

In what was to be the match of the day, Sebastian Korda put up a good first set fight before fading against the red-hot Carlos Alcaraz who avenged a Monte Carlo loss with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win.

“It’s amazing to play in such a great atmosphere. I think the people enjoyed the match and I’m glad to play in front of such a good crowd,” said Alcaraz on court after his win at night. “In the early matches, I’m trying to have fun out there. I love playing tennis and playing on these courts, so I’m enjoying every second.”

Korda had break chances but finished 0-for-5 on break chances.

Russian Karen Khachanov will next for Alcaraz after the Russian upset Cameron Norrie 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4.

“I just practised with him once, but I’ve watch other matches from him, so I know that it’s going to be a tough match,” said Alcaraz. “But at the same time, he’s a tough opponent and I like those matches.”

Alexander Zverev also eased into the last 16 toughing out Brandon Nakashima 7-6(2), 6-3, 7-5(5). He’ll get Bernabe Zapata Miralles who stunned John Isner 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3.

Diego Schwartzman also advanced to a Sunday meeting with Djokovic.

Tomorrow, Stefanos Tsitsipas returns to take on the Mikael Ymer. Daniil Medvedev meets Miomir Kecmanovic and Gilles Simon continues his final French Open against Marin Cilic.

SATURDAY FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE
Court Philippe CHATRIER – Début à 12h00
1 SD 3 Iga SWIATEK (POL)[1] contre Danka KOVINIC (MNE)
2 SD 3 Qinwen ZHENG (CHN) contre Alizé CORNET (FRA)
3 SM 3 Gilles SIMON (FRA) contre Marin CILIC (CRO)[20]
Pas avant 20h45
4 SM 3 Holger RUNE (DEN) contre Hugo GASTON (FRA)

Court Suzanne LENGLEN – Début à 11h00
1 SD 3 Irina-Camelia BEGU (ROU) contre Leolia JEANJEAN (FRA)
2 SM 3 Miomir KECMANOVIC (SRB)[28] contre Daniil MEDVEDEV (—)[2]
3 SD 3 Paula BADOSA (ESP)[3] contre Veronika KUDERMETOVA (—)[29]
4 SM 3 Mikael YMER (SWE) contre Stefanos TSITSIPAS (GRE)[4]

Court Simonne MATHIEU – Début à 11h00
1 SM 3 Mackenzie MCDONALD (USA) contre Jannik SINNER (ITA)[11]
2 SD 3 Camila GIORGI (ITA)[28] contre Aryna SABALENKA (—)[7]
3 SM 3 David GOFFIN (BEL) contre Hubert HURKACZ (POL)[12]
4 SD 3 Madison KEYS (USA)[22] contre Elena RYBAKINA (KAZ)[16]

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