Djok sends a message to boo boys as he goes into next round
NOVAK Djokovic was booed as he walked on to court and cupped his ear at a strangely-hostile crowd during his three-set win over Diego Schwartzman at the French Open.
Argentinian Schwartzman was clearly being backed by a large South American and Spanish contingent on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
But the jeering of the world number one and defending champion seemed excessive and even prompted Eurosport’s Alex Corretja to say: “I don’t like that. It’s Novak Djokovic. He has given us so much.”
But Djokovic gave the perfect response with a 6-1 6-3 6-3 demolition of the 15th seed to book his place in the quarter-finals.
The Serbian has yet to drop a set in the tournament as he bids for a record-equalling 21st grand slam title.
Coco Gauff reached her second French Open quarter-final with a 6-4 6-0 victory over Elise Mertens – and the draw has opened up for the 18-year-old.
With nine of the top 10 seeds already out, and world number one Iga Swiatek in the other half, a run to her first grand slam final looks a real possibility for the American 18th seed.
Leylah Fernandez is also still in the mix after beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3 4-6 6-3.
The 19-year-old from Canada will play Italian world number 59 Martina Trevisan, who saw off Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-6 (10) 7-5.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray begins his grass-court season today when he takes on Austrian number one Jurij Rodionov in the Surbiton Trophy.
The ATP Challenger Tour event is resuming for the first time since 2019 after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to be cancelled for the past two years.
Its return was always set to be a special occasion for Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club but Murray’s desire to play ensured ticket sales went through the roof.
“When Andy signed up everything went nuts; ticket sales and everything, so it is really great,” said club director Roy Staniland.
“Normally we see the players of the future that you may see at Wimbledon later in the year or in the next few years but to have someone of Andy’s level is very good for us. It is like the circus has come to town.’’
Coco Gauff believes Emma Raducanu’s surprise US Open win has inspired the rest of the women’s field to believe they can challenge for the top prizes.
British teenager Raducanu shocked the sporting world when she came through qualifying to triumph at Flushing Meadows last year.
Gauff is through to her second French Open quarter-final following
a 6-4 6-0 victory over Elise Mertens, and the draw has opened up for the 18-year-old.
With nine of the top 10 seeds already out, and world number one Iga Swiatek in the other half of the draw, a run to her first grand slam final looks a real possibility.
But the American 18th seed feels there are still a host of players capable of a Raducanu-style tilt at the title.
Gauff, who like Raducanu made her breakthrough at Wimbledon, in 2019, said: “I’m thinking, especially if US Open taught us anything, that
anybody can win on any day. I think all players should really go into the match thinking about that.
“I think for me I’ve always believed that I could go far, but for other players I think so as well.
“In this tournament, I mean, both sides of the draw, with the exception of Iga, there are a lot of lower-seeded and lower-ranked players still left in the tournament.
“So I really think that players believe that. Other players believe that. I think a lot of it stems from that tournament.”