French Open 2023: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal's stellar record, eyes third title

Novak Djokovic is exercising firm control at Roland Garros as he reaches the Quarter Final stage for the 17th time in his career. The Serbian looks in top form for his third French Open title and his skills were on display when he downed Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas straight sets in the fourth round. 

In the match that lasted sub-two hours on Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic managed to strike 7 aces and managed to capitalize 6 of his 12 break points during play. The final score read 6-3 6-2 6-2 which meant that the third seed is yet to drop a set in French Open 2023 and by the looks of it, he will continue wielding power as the favourite to win the tournament.

But that isn't all worth celebrating for Novak Djokovic who, by virtue of the fourth-round win, has gone past Rafael Nadal's record of 16 Quarter-Final or last-8 appearances at Roland Garros. Djokovic now has 17 in his kitty and even though he is nowhere close to the Spaniard's record of winning 14 titles, the quarter-final record only enunciates the high fitness standards he plays at. 

Having turned pro at the age of 20 in 2003, Novak Djokovic is the only player in the modern era who has defeated Rafael Nadal twice (2015 QF and 2021 SF) at the French Open.

Nadal, whose first defeat in the clay-court tournament came in 2009 against Robin Söderling in the fourth round, has failed only twice in his 18 appearances at Roland Garros to reach the round of last eight. 

For the Serb, the road to winning his third French Open is bound to get tougher and the first hurdle in the way will come in the form of Karen Khachanov. The number 11 seed Russian is known to use his 6-ft-6-inch build to his maximum advantage and is recognised as one of the best servers in the current men's game.