World no. 1 Novak Djokovic was at his best form as he trounced France’s Nicolas Devilder in three sets 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to advance into round four at the French Open.
Djokovic is bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slams simultaneously.
Last on court Suzanne Lenglen, the Serbian sprinted through in only one hour and 44 minutes to beat the Frenchman.
Devilder contributed to an entertaining encounter, but Djokovic’s precise and powerful ground strokes ensured he had few problems as he aims to better his semi-final appearance of 2011, the last time he was beaten in a Grand Slam match.
Djokovic said, “The last 15 minutes was very hard. But it was very important for me to finish the match on the day. I wouldn’t like to come back the next day and play a few games.”
He will next meet the 22nd seed Italian Andreas Seppi who defeated the Spanish 14th seed Fernando Verdasco in five sets, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
Djokovic has never reached the final at Roland Garros, losing to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of 2007 and 2008 and Roger Federer last year.
Meanwhile, world no. 3 Federer defeated Nicolas Mahut of France 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the third round.
After losing a set to unheralded Romanian Adrian Ungur in round two, he again struggled in the third round with Mahut.
Federer was made to work hard for a four-set victory over the Frenchman in the third round at Roland Garros.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion coasted through the first set, but was broken in the final game of the second as the Frenchman leveled.
Normal service was resumed in the third set, but Federer was pushed all through the fourth set before securing the win.
Federer will be meeting unseeded David Goffin of Belgium in the fourth round.
