WORLD number one Novak Djokovic needs to reach the 2024 Roland Garros final in order to retain top spot, and so far, so good for the Serbian star after her rolled Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets. In a one-sided match, Djokovic had a challenge early in the first set, but won 14 of the last 17 games to breeze into the Round of 32.

The top seed faced a 4-4 even split in the opening set before winning a critical break in the ninth game, the first of six consecutive games to go 6-4 4-0 up. From there, he was never looking back with Djokovic taking out the second set 6-1 and was equally dominant in the third set for a 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory in two hours and four minutes.

“I’m glad that I came through the opening [two] rounds in straight sets,” Djokovic said post-match. “Again at the beginning, in the first set, I was challenged. He was playing very well, aggressive from the start. It took me a little bit of time to start swinging through the ball a bit more loose. Crucial break to clinch the first set. After that, the second and third set really went my way.”

Djokovic won 76 per cent of his first serve points and 59 per cent of his second serve points en route to the victory, while showing pure class with 23 more winners (43-20) and only one more unforced error (24-23). He also forced 26 errors out of Carballes Baena and won 77 per cent of his net points as well.

“I was dictating play and doing things the right way,” Djokovic said. “I have to be content, of course it can always be better, matches are only going to get tougher. It’s enjoyable to feel and play this way at a Grand Slam.”

2024 ROLAND GARROS ATP ROUND OF 64 RESULTS:

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-4 6-1 6-2
[4] Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated David Goffin (BEL 7-6 6-2 6-2
[5] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 6-1 5-0 RET
[7] Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) 7-6 1-6 6-3 4-6 6-3
[10] Grigor Dimitrov(BUL) defeated Fabian Marozsan (HUN) 6-0 6-3 6-4
[11] Alex de Minaur (AUS) defeated Jaume Munar (ESP) 7-5 6-1 6-4
[12] Taylor Fritz (USA) defeated Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4
[13] Holger Rune (DEN) defeated Flavio Cobolli (ITA) 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-3 7-6
[14] Tommy Paul (USA) defeated Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-1 6-0 6-2
[18] Karen Khachanov (RUS) defeated Jozef Kovalik (SVK)
Sebastian Ofner (AUT) defeated [20] Sebastian Baez (ARG) 3-6 3-6 6-4 7-5 7-6
[21] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated Henri Squire (GER) 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-2
[23] Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) defeated Filip Misolic (ARG)
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) defeated [25] Frances Tiafoe (USA) 6-7 6-2 6-2 6-4
[26] Tallon Griekspoor (NED) defeated Luciano Darderi (ITA) 7-6 6-3 6-3
[28] Tomas Etcheverry (ARG) defeated Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) 3-6 6-7 6-1 5-0
[30] Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) defeated Gael Monfils (FRA) 7-5 6-1 6-4
Tomas Machac (CZE) defeated [31] Mariano Navone (ARG) 6-2 6-1 3-6 1-6 6-1
Zizou Bergs (BEL) defeated Maximilian Marterer (GER) 6-0 6-3 6-4
Corentin Moutet (FRA) defeated Alexander Shevchenko (KAZ) 6-4 6-2 0-6 6-3
Giulio Zeppieri (ITA) defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)