Share

Djokovic into Paris quarters

Paris - Top seed Novak Djokovic reached the French Open quarter-finals on Monday with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over German 16th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Djokovic will face Germany's Tommy Haas for a place in the semi-finals.

"It's very difficult to play against Philipp as he is a specialist on clay. After the first set, I played well so I am happy," said the world number one.

"It was windy, but the conditions were the same for both of us. I just had to adjust."

On facing Haas, the third oldest man to make the last eight, the Serb said: "I have a lot of respect for Tommy. He is playing well."

Djokovic, the runner-up to seven-time champion Rafael Nadal last year, needs a French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam.

The last time he failed to reach the last-eight of a major was in Paris in 2009 when he lost in the fourth round to Monday's opponent.

Kohlschreiber stunned the Serb by breaking in the fifth game on his way to taking the first set.

Djokovic was warned for taking too long between points in the seventh game of the second set, but he still went on to level the tie.

A break in the third game of the third set and the fifth game of the fourth put him on the verge of victory.

The German saved a match point when Djokovic served for the tie in the eighth game and broke for 3-5.

But Djokovic hit back in the 10th game to take victory and reach his 16th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final.

Kohlschreiber paid a heavy price for being able to convert just two of his 13 break points.

French Open fourth round results (x denotes seeded player):

Men:

Fourth round:
Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER x16) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
Tommy Haas (GER x12) bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS x29) 6-1, 6-1, 6-3
Rafael Nadal (ESP x3) bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x13) 6-4, 6-1, 6-3
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x9) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA x7) 6-7 (5/7), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 8-6

Women:

Fourth round:
Maria Kirilenko (RUS x12) bt Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 7-5, 6-4
Victoria Azarenka (BLR x3) bt Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 6-3, 6-0
Maria Sharapova (RUS x2) bt Sloane Stephens (USA x17) 6-4, 6-3
Jelena Jankovic (SRB x18) bt Jamie Hampton (USA) 6-0, 6-2

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE