Record-breaker Djokovic inspired by family time

Story of the match

The opening game fired a warning that Varillas shouldn't be underestimated. The world No.94, the first Peruvian man to reach the fourth round in Paris since Jaime Yzaga in 1994, flashed a forehand cross-court for an immediate break chance.

Not so. Djokovic delivered two quick-fire aces and within 10 minutes had raced 3-0 up with incredible groundstroke depth, pinning his opponent behind the baseline. 

There was another warning sign, Varillas catapulting a disguised backhand down the line, which he repeated for a return winner to break for 1-4.

Varillas pounced on a period of passive play from Djokovic, with the world No.3 unsure of his footing in the swirling wind. The backhand was blazing again at 4-2, Varillas earning another break chance.

Again, no was the answer. At full stretch Djokovic latched onto a forehand, arrowing it diagonally in an immense piece of athleticism. Cupping his ear to the crowd, Djokovic knew the significance.

Now the 22-time Grand Slam champion was in cruise control, winning all 14 of his first-serve points in the second set.

There were no more warning signs, Djokovic had his son Stefan in the stands, who must have enjoyed his dad put in a trademark dominant display.

The 36-year-old Djokovic is just three wins away from tennis immortality with a men's all-time record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title on the line. Watch this space!

Key stats

Variety was the name of the game. Seven aces within 35 winners, 15 out of 17 success rate at the net, seven drop shots, nine lobs; it was an accomplished performance across the skill-set from the Serb.

Djokovic has yet to drop a set en route to the quarter-finals, the fifth time he has done so in his supremely consistent trips to Paris.

The former world No.1 is now 46-1 versus players ranked outside the top 50 in Roland-Garros battles. Djokovic's only blemish was a 2018 quarter-final loss to 72nd ranked Marco Cecchinato.

What the winner said

On Varillas: "I know him from his last two years on the circuit. I know he is a specialist on clay. I knew I had to battle to win points, he doesn’t have a major weapon in his game, but he is a consistent player.

"I think I have played my best tennis so far."

Milestone of 17 Roland-Garros quarter-finals: "Of course, I’m proud of all my records. This means that I’m not a young man anymore. I’m not the same as 10 years ago. But with the way I played today, I’m very motivated to keep playing."

Djokovic's son joined his gym warm-up: "It’s a pleasure for me to see them both, my son and my daughter yesterday, today and tomorrow. When I’m with my son, who loves tennis, I’m a different person.

"It gives me a lot of motivation and inspiration to play. He loves tennis and maybe, he’ll play here one day."

Keeping tabs on title rivals: "You always follow the top guys. Of course, you're looking, you're analysing everyone's game. You're basically following what's going on in the draw.

"But most of the attention is obviously focused on you, on what you need to deliver on the court, how you need to perform, how you need to win the next match. It's only about the next step."