World number six Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak to seven matches as he dismantled Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and eight minutes on Saturday night in Paris.
Next, the 100-time ATP titlist, who just accomplished his 99th win at the tournament, will meet resurgent British player Cameron Norrie. Earlier in the day, the world No. 81 booked his ticket to the fourth round after beating countryman Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 7-6, 6-2.
The Former Top 10 player advanced to the second week on French soil for the first time in his career.
Moreover, for the first time since 1963, two British men (Norrie and fifth seed Jack Draper) are in the last 16 of Roland-Garros.
Sharp behind his serve, winning 80 percent of the points on his first delivery and 89 percent on his second service, the Serbian made a solid start to the first set.
Wise on the return, he converted 1 out of the 10 break-point opportunities he generated, taking the better of his adversary with powerful cross-court shots.
Meanwhile, Misolic, 23, held his ground under pressure for most of the set; the qualifier dropped his service in the sixth game as he committed an unforced error.
The Australian was competitive, digging deep in intense baseline exchanges. Regardless, the sixth seed outplayed him with his serve variety, experience, superb court coverage, and signature athleticism in full display on the center court.
Dominant, the 38-year-old served out for the set flawlessly, closing out 6-3 in 48 minutes.
As the second set wore on, the world No. 153 showcased a blistering serve performance, firing at an average speed of 150 km/h.
However, the 24-time major champion stepped up, serving with authority, taking a clinical break in the fifth game with an exquisite backhand passing winner to move forward 3-2.
As the match progressed, he seemed comfortable when playing the longer points, taking control of play while hitting the ball cleanly off both wings.
Nonetheless, Misolic’s efforts, varying pace, and placement saw him narrow the gap to 3-4.
Then, the rallies intensified throughout a tighter set, but the former world number one stayed focused, imposing his game to wrap up 6-4 in 44 minutes, leading two sets to love.
The Paris Olympics gold medalist broke serve to open the third set, quickly holding to earn a 2-0 advantage.
A high-quality encounter saw the young Austrian battling hard while playing great tennis, but it would not be enough to halt the Geneva Open winner.
In his 21st straight appearance at the clay-court Grand Slam, Djokovic held his nerve, breaking twice on his way to a 6-2 triumph, a consistent performance that sees him qualify for the round of 16, keeping his quest for a historic 25th Slam title alive.
He hit 33 winners to just 14 unforced errors, converted four of 16 break points, and won 80 percent of the points on his first serve.
Djokovic leads Norrie 5-0 in their series, having met recently at the Gonet Geneva Open semifinal, a match the former took in three sets.