Novak Djokovic is through to the quarter-final of the French Open and remains on course to lift a Grand Slam title for the 25th time during his career.
Djokovic has fought back from a knee operation which blighted the second half of 2024. Now, he looks in fine fettle and thrashed Great Britain player Cameron Norrie in straight sets to earn a last-eight berth against Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic has now won 100 matches at Roland Garros during his career. Only Rafael Nadal can boast more French Open wins than the Serbian great, and he looks to be edging back to his very best at this year’s event.
There is an argument that Djokovic hasn’t really been tested yet at this year’s tournament. He’s faced four lowly ranked players, and facing Zverev will offer a real chance to grab a look at his title credentials this year.
| Round | Oppenent | World Ranking |
| L128 | Mackenzie McDonald | 98 |
| L64 | Corentin Moutet | 73 |
| L32 | Filip Misolic | 153 |
| L16 | Cameron Norrie | 81 |
John Isner explains ‘ridiculous’ thing he’s noticed about Novak Djokovic
On the latest episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Isner was quizzed on Djokovic’s run through the tournament so far, with his match against Norrie in the spotlight.
Djokovic breezed past the Great Britain player who sent Daniil Medvedev packing in round one of the tournament last week.
Isner isn’t sure what other superlatives to come up with to describe Djokovic and thinks the player looks as though he’s on a mission this week.
He said: “I said two days ago. I was adamant that Cameron Norrie was going to give Djokovic hell in his match.
“They played the week prior in Geneva, and it went three sets, but that’s Geneva, I know it’s not the Grand Slam. But I said tough four or five-set match, but Djokovic is going to prevail. But he won 2, 3 and 2.
“Cameron could not hold serve. How ridiculous is it that he plays the week before? At 38, I played the week before, and if I had to back it up with another tournament, if I played a handful of matches in the prior week, your body feels it.
“Not Novak. He seems in great shape. I think getting off the court quickly is going to do him big favours against his quarter-final opponent, Alexander Zverev.
“So I think this is the best quarter-final match-up for tennis fans in general.”
Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson make French Open quarter-final prediction
The quarter-finals look extremely exciting, with Djokovic facing Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both still in contention to lift the title.
Querrey is sitting on the fence a little bit when it comes to the Djokovic against Zverev match-up, with the German well-rested after Tallon Griekspoor retired after a set-and-a-half in his last 16 match.
He said: “It is basically a 50/50. I think I like Zverev, and I don’t know why. 51/49. But it’s such a toss-up. I am really struggling to pick someone here because of the years and the infrequency of Novak playing, and the early losses, I don’t know where to go with it.
Steve Johnson was more clear in his mind who would win, and he continued: “I am going to take Novak in this one more so because of his first four rounds. He got through with no problems. He has got the energy. He has not had any long, gruelling matches that are going to take it out of him.
“And on the other side of the net, Sascha has really struggled to close matches out this year, so if he does get to the finish line, can he shut the door on the guy who is the most accomplished tennis player of all time?”
Whatever happens in that game, it promises to be a tough run for either player to lift the crown, with both Sinner and Alcaraz likely to be in waiting in the final two rounds.
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