PARIS — Novak Djokovic delivered a masterclass performance at Roland Garros on Wednesday, cruising past Britain's Cam Norrie in straight sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-2) to reach the third round of the French Open. The victory marked a historic milestone for the Serb, as he became the first player in tennis history to record 100 match wins across all four Grand Slam tournaments.
The world No. 1 needed just under two hours to dismantle Norrie's game, showcasing his trademark defensive brilliance and clinical finishing. Djokovic's victory was never in doubt as he broke serve five times and saved all four break points he faced. "It was a solid performance," Djokovic said in his post-match interview. "Cam is a tough opponent, but I felt in control from the start."
A Historic Achievement
With this win, Djokovic joined an exclusive club, becoming only the third player (after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) to reach 100 match wins at a single Grand Slam (Australian Open). However, his latest milestone sets him apart—he's now the first to achieve the feat at all four majors:
- Australian Open: 100-8 record (10 titles)
- French Open: 100-18 record (3 titles)
- Wimbledon: 100-12 record (7 titles)
- US Open: 100-13 record (4 titles)
"To have 100 wins at each Slam is something I never dreamed of when I started," Djokovic reflected. "It shows consistency and longevity, which I'm very proud of."
Dominance on Court Philippe-Chatrier
Djokovic's performance was a reminder of his clay-court prowess, particularly his ability to adapt his game to slower surfaces. Norrie, known for his gritty baseline play, had no answers for Djokovic's precision and variety:
- Won 82% of first-serve points (compared to Norrie's 63%)
- Converted 5/8 break points while saving all 4 against him
- Hit 34 winners to just 19 unforced errors
Norrie admitted afterward, "He was just too good today. Every time I thought I had him in a rally, he'd find a way to turn defense into offense. That's why he's the greatest."
The Road Ahead
Djokovic will face Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in the third round, a rematch of their dramatic 2021 Roland Garros fourth-round clash where Musetti won the first two sets before Djokovic stormed back. The Serb leads their head-to-head 4-1, but Musetti remains one of the tour's most dangerous clay-court talents.
French Open Title Defense
With Rafael Nadal absent this year, Djokovic is the favorite to claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. A victory would also make him the first man to win every major at least four times. However, challenges loom—Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are in strong form, and Djokovic has yet to win a title in 2024.
When asked about his form, Djokovic remained pragmatic: "I'm taking it one match at a time. The level is there, but Grand Slams are a different beast. I know what it takes to go deep here." If Wednesday's performance was any indication, the Serb is well on his way to another deep run in Paris.