Novak Djokovic has sailed into a record 19th French Open quarter-final as world number 361 Lois Boisson knocked out third seed Jessica Pegula to become the first home quarter-finalist at Roland Garros since 2017.
The 38-year-old Djokovic dusted aside Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets, his 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier bringing up the Serbian’s 100th match win at the French Open.
His tally of 19 quarter-final appearances at Roland Garros is the record for a single Grand Slam tournament, surpassing Roger Federer’s 18 Wimbledon quarter-finals.
But Djokovic, a three-time French Open champion, is focused on much bigger goals as he chases a new outright record of 25 Grand Slam titles this week.
“I feel good. I know I can play better. But 12 sets played, 12 sets won, it’s been solid so far,” said Djokovic, who will likely face a much more difficult test against world number three Alexander Zverev.
“It’s great, but victory number 101 would be better. I’m very honoured… But I need to continue now.”
Djokovic has not played anyone higher than 73rd through the first four rounds. Zverev is last year’s runner-up and advanced when Djokovic retired injured from their last meeting in the Australian Open semi-finals in January.
Zverev moved into his seventh Roland Garros quarter-final when Dutch opponent Tallon Griekspoor quit with an abdominal problem while trailing 6-4, 3-0.
The German is still hunting a first Grand Slam title. He lost the 2024 final to Carlos Alcaraz and then finished runner-up to Jannik Sinner in Melbourne.
“Novak Djokovic will never be a black horse. For me, Carlos is the favourite,” said Zverev. “Then I would say the next three in line are Jannik, myself, and Novak, right? I still believe that.”