CNN
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A sun-kissed but windy Paris afternoon Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal breaks one. French Open Records advancing to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.
A straight-sets 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over Peruvian Juan Pablo Varela on Sunday ensured Djokovic progressed to the last eight at the French Open for a record 17th time, overtaking the absent Rafael Nadal on 16. .
The win also moved the Serb closer to a record 23rd men’s career Grand Slam. Djokovic is currently tied with Nadal, who announced on Saturday that he will be out for at least five months after undergoing hip surgery at 22 Grand Slams.
Varillas is ranked 94th in the world but became the first Peruvian in 29 years to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam at Roland Garros.
He was no match for world No. 3 Djokovic, however, who next plays 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov.
It has been a controversial week for the Serb who made headlines earlier in the tournament after sending a political message about Kosovo, which he later said he stood by.
After his first round victory on Monday, Djokovic wrote “Kosovo is. [heart symbol] Stop the violence on the TV camera lens in response to the violent clashes in Kosovo, Serbia. There has been tension. In Kosovo, last week’s increase, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008.
“Of course, I know a lot of people will disagree with that, but it is what it is,” Djokovic said after his second-round victory over Hungary’s Martin Fucsoks on Wednesday. “It’s something I stand for. That’s all.”
“A drama-free Grand Slam, I don’t think it can happen for me,” he added on Wednesday. “You know, I think it drives me too.”