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PARIS: Novak Djokovic admits he knows absolutely nothing about Daniel Galán, world number 153 from Colombia, who stands in his way for a place in the round of 16 at Roland Garros on Saturday (October 3).
That may be as good as Galán, a lucky 24-year-old underdog from the rankings, says he is not a “staunch supporter” of the world’s number one.
“I don’t know much about him, to be honest,” said Djokovic, the 2016 French Open champion seeking his 18th Grand Slam title.
“I’ve never seen him play, so obviously I’ll have to watch his matches, the videos and try to prepare with my team.”
Djokovic, whose 2020 record is now 33 wins to a single loss, aims to become the first man in half a century to win all four Slams twice.
His second-round win over Ricardas Berankis was his 70th in the tournament. The 33-year-old has won at least 70 games in all of the major leagues.
In contrast, Galán’s only two victories at the Slams came in Paris this week.
“When I was a kid, I grew up with the rivalry between (Roger) Federer and (Marat) Safin,” said Galán. “When I was older I admired (Rafael) Nadal for what he has accomplished.”
Galán was one of nine players outside the top 100 to reach the third round, the most in Paris since 1985.
“Djokovic has no weaknesses, although I am not saying that he is invincible, otherwise he would never have lost a match,” added Galán, the first Colombian to reach the third round of a major since Santiago Giraldo in Paris in 2012.
A day after world number 239 Hugo Gaston and 213-ranked Sebastian Korda reached the round of 16, German qualifier Daniel Altmaier landed another blow for the underdog.
The world number 186 stunned seventh seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, becoming the fourth man to reach the round of 16 in his Grand Slam debut since 2000.
The victory also means a financial windfall for the German, who is guaranteed to earn at least $ 221,400 by reaching the final 16 and having earned $ 173,600 in his entire six-year career.
“WOUNDED BEFORE PARIS”
“I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play in Paris because I was injured the week before at a tournament in Aix,” said Altmaier, who had previously only won one ATP Tour match in his career.
“But the doctor gave me the go-ahead, so I am very happy to be here. The tournament continues for me and I am happy to continue.”
Russian 13th seed Andrey Rublev, clay champion in Hamburg on the eve of Roland Garros, edged South African veteran Kevin Anderson in just 94 minutes.
Rublev did not face a break point in his 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win when he moved into the last 16 for the first time.
Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is attempting to reach the fourth round for the second year in a row. He faces the Slovenian Aljaz Bedene, number 56 in the world.
Tsitsipas had to come back two sets against to defeat Jaume Munar in the first round, but then outplayed Uruguayan clay specialist Pablo Cuevas to lose just seven games.
In the women’s draw, 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko, who eliminated second seed Karolina Pliskova on Thursday, faces Spain’s Paula Badosa.
New York-born Badosa, ranked 87, is making her Roland Garros debut and marked the occasion with stunning former US Open champion and 2018 Roland Garros finalist Sloane Stephens in the second round.
Australian Open champion and fourth seeded Sofia Kenin takes on 142nd-ranked Romanian Irina Bara. Kenin surprised Serena Williams at the same stage of last year’s tournament.
Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, 2016 champion in Paris and 11th seed this year, faces American Danielle Collins, who is enjoying her best streak in the tournament.
French wild card Clara Burel, just 19 years old and ranked at a modest 357, faces seasoned Chinese player Zhang Shuai, who tries to become the first Chinese woman in the second week since former champion Li Na in 2012.
Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, seeded seventh, faces Leylah Fernández for a round of 16 spot.
Fernández, number 100 in the ranking, at just 18 years old, won the women’s title in Paris last year and is now causing a sensation in her main draw debut after defeating number 31 seed Magda Linette and Polona Hercog, number 47 of the ranking.
