French Open 2014: Novak Djokovic defeats Jeremy Chardy to advance


Novak Djokovic sailed into the French Open third round with a comprehensive 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory over Jeremy Chardy at Roland Garros.

The claycourt showpiece is the only major title to have eluded Djokovic so far in his career, but he looked in ferocious form as he blew away the Frenchman in just an hour and 31 minutes.

It was the second seed's ninth win in nine meetings against the world No 42 who has never taken a set off the Serb.

Djokovic, the 2012 runner-up, who needs a French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, next faces either 25th-seeded Croat Marin Cilic or Germany's Tobias Kamke.

Meanwhile, Latvian 18th seed Ernests Gulbis eased past Argentine qualifier Facundo Bagnis 6-2 7-5 6-0 and will next face Czech veteran Radek Stepanek, who knocked out Russian 15th seed Mikhail Youzhny 6-0 6-3 3-6 6-4.

French world No 29 Gilles Simon and 31st seed Dmitry Tursunov from Russia also advanced to the third round.

One match that carried over from the first round ended quickly on Wednesday morning with Steve Johnson advancing.

The American saved two match points on Tuesday in the third set before completing a 4-6 6-7 (7) 7-6 (3) 6-3 6-3 win over the lowest ranked player in the tournament - world No 406 Laurent Lokoli from Bastia in France.