By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday June 3, 2021
Novak Djokovic is into the third round without the loss of a set after his victory over Pablo Cuevas on Day 5 in Paris.
Photo Source: Getty
Excited about his chances in Paris after pushing King of Clay Rafael Nadal in the Rome final and winning his 83rd title at Belgrade the following week, Novak Djokovic has done nothing to break his momentum in his first two rounds at Roland Garros.
The Serb has eased through his first two rounds in straight sets, with today’s 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Pablo Cuevas improving his all-time record in Paris to 76-15 and setting up a third-round clash with Ricardas Berankis.
“I'm playing well, feeling great,” Djokovic said. “I'm ready to go deep in this tournament. Hopefully that's gonna be the case, but I'll take it match by match, and so far the two matches that I have played have been played on a high quality.”
For the second straight outing Djokovic was solid from the service stripe. He saved eight of nine break points and has saved 14 of 15 break points across his two rounds.
Djokovic says that the balls in play at Roland-Garros are high-bouncing, and he believes that the serve is an even more important stroke because of this.
“You have to adjust to that and try to hold your service games comfortably, because that's going to put a lot of pressure on your opponent,” he said. “My serve has been working pretty well in the first two matches, so hopefully it can keep going.”
Djokovic hit 32 winners against 22 unforced errors on Day 5 (including 10 aces) in his first career meeting with Cuevas. He won 65 points of four or less strokes, and lost just 43.
Djokovic saved all four break points he faced in the third set, and converted the only break point he saw to ensure safe and simple passage to round three.
“The third set was quite even,” he said. “Particularly, you know, I think at the beginning and mid part of the third set he had his chances, breakpoints. I think he started playing much better, making less unforced errors, so he made me run and he made me work more. But, you know, I felt comfortable running, playing, all-around game was great. So I'm very, very satisfied with the performance.”
Being Home in Belgrade Makes a Difference
After the match Djokovic told reporters that he felt his decision to play in Belgrade last week is doing wonders for his state of mind. Due to the fact that restrictions aren’t as strict in Belgrade, he was able to play in front of crowds, and avoid the bubble life for a week.
“I knew months ago that there is gonna be another kind of bubble here in Paris with that hour of exercise a day that you get to go out,” he said. “But other than that, it's courts, hotel room.
“So when I found out that in Belgrade we are going to have the crowd most likely, it was an easy decision for me because I wanted to spend more time with my family, my kids, my wife, my parents, brothers, and just feed off that great energy and support that I had in the last couple of matches, particularly in the finals. It was just an amazing atmosphere, and I don't get too many chances to play at home.
“I wanted to use it and really get myself pumped for Roland Garros. So far it's been working well. Seems like a good decision.”