French Open, day 5 men’s roundup: Nadal cruises on birthday; Djokovic, Federer post impressive wins

Rafael Nadal celebrated his 35th birthday in style with a straight sets win over Richard Gasquet at the French Open on Thursday.

The 13-time champion in Paris and chasing a record-setting 21st Grand Slam title, won 6-0, 7-5, 6-2 to register his 17th career victory in 17 meetings with 53rd-ranked Gasquet to mark a historic end of France’s campaign at their home Major. Gasquet’s defeat means that there are no French players left in the tournament (singles draws) before the third round for the first time in Open Era.

Earlier, Roger Federer became entangled in a rare running dispute with a chair umpire on Thursday before safely securing his place in the French Open last 32 while Novak Djokovic eased into the third round.

Federer saw off Marin Cilic for the 10th time in 11 meetings, winning 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 but only after a second set bust-up with umpire Emmanuel Joseph.

Top seed Djokovic continued his bid for a 19th Grand Slam title with a straight-sets win over Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas. The 34-year-old, who is looking to become the first man in more than 50 years to win all four Slams multiple times, won 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Djokovic will face Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis for a place in the last 16 after reaching the stage for the 16th straight year.

“I stayed concentrated. I thought the third set was very difficult for me because he lifted the level of his game,” said the world number one after his 350th Grand Slam match in which he fired 32 winners.

Federer was handed a time violation at 1-3 down in the for taking too long between points. “I don’t even dare to go my towel anymore,” he said to Joseph.

Federer, the oldest man in the draw at 39, lost his cool and the set before recovering to defeat former world number three Cilic. Former US Open winner Cilic was also handed a time warning late in the third set.

Playing in only his second French Open since 2015, Federer goes on to face Germany’s Dominik Koepfer for a place in the last 16.

In a match played in an empty Court Philippe Chatrier due to a 9pm Covid-19 curfew, Gasquet won just nine points in the first set.

He managed a brief show of defiance from 2-5 to 5-5 in the second set but eventually his resistance was broken when Nadal carved out a break for 4-2 in the third set.

“The important thing is winning the matches. If it’s in straight sets it’s better,” said Nadal.

“I don’t complain at all, the main thing is to feel myself playing well.”

Next up for the world number three is Britain’s Cameron Norrie who he has beaten twice already this season, at the Australian Open and on clay in Barcelona.

Two Italian teens made it through with 18th seeded Jannik Sinner seeing off compatriot Gianluca Mager while highly-rated Lorenzo Musetti put out Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.

Second round

Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Pablo Cuevas (URU) 6-3, 6-2, 6-4

Ricardas Berankis (LTU) bt James Duckworth (AUS) 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0

Marco Cecchinato (ITA) bt Alex De Minaur (AUS x21) 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1

Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) bt Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 7-5, 6-3, 6-2

Matteo Berrettini (ITA x9) bt Federico Coria (ARG) 6-3, 6-3, 6-2

Soonwoo Kwon (KOR) bt Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-4, 7-5, 7-5

Dominik Koepfer (GER) bt Taylor Fritz (USA x30) 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4

Roger Federer (SUI x8) bt Marin Cilic (CRO) 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2

Rafael Nadal (ESP x3) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-0, 7-5, 6-2

Cameron Norrie (GBR) bt Lloyd Harris (RSA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2

Jannik Sinner (ITA x18) bt Gianluca Mager (ITA) 6-1, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3