Tennis: Novak Djokovic accidentally hits the linesman before advancing to French Open quarters

Novak Djokovic has beaten up another linesman, but this time it was clearly an accident despite bringing back memories of his sensational flaw at the US Open last month.

The Serbian reached the French Open quarter-finals for the eleventh year in a row, extending his own Open-era record in the tournament with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 15 seed Karen. Khachanov.

In the first set, Djokovic attempted to return a serve rather than inadvertently sending the ball into the face of a referee on the side of the court. He was quick to apologize.

It was in the same round at Flushing Meadows that Djokovic was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct after hitting a ball in frustration towards the back wall of the court, which hit a linesman in the throat.

It was also unintentional but avoidable compared to today’s moment during the match.

Djokovic has won all 12 sets he has played in Paris this year and has lost a total of just 25 games so far. He lost five games in each of his first three games.

This victory places Djokovic into his 47th Grand Slam quarter-final, second only to Roger Federer’s 57.

Djokovic is seeking a second French Open championship and the 18th main trophy overall. Among men, only Federer, with 20, and Rafael Nadal, with 19, have more.

Djokovic will next face No. 17 seed Pablo Carreño Busta or qualifier Daniel Altmaier. The rain prevented him from starting his fourth round match when he was supposed to on the Suzanne Lenglen outdoor court.

– AP