Paris — World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic eased into the French Open fourth round for the 13th straight year on Friday.
The top seed cantered to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win over Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene, firing nine aces and 30 winners past his 195th-ranked opponent.
Next up for the 35-year-old, who was also French Open champion in 2016, is a match-up with Argentina's Diego Schwartzman, the 15th seed, for a place in the quarter-finals.
Djokovic, bidding for a record-equalling 21st Grand Slam title, has a perfect 6-0 record over Schwartzman including a five-set win in Paris in the third round in 2017.
"I'm always very motivated when I get on the court, with the desire to produce my best level each time. It's not always possible to do it, but today it was very good," said Djokovic.
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Djokovic, who is yet to drop a set at Roland Garros this year over three rounds, is seeded to face 13-time champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.
AFP
