​Bella Chao is playing in the Chatriere stands (the marching band has done its job again) on a Sunday where people are feeling good, enjoying the good weather and the tennis. The music is also on the court, and Novak Djokovic is in charge of the arrangements. The match against Juan Pablo Varillas (94th ATP ranking) was a feast for the Serb (6-3, 6-2, 6-2), the latter is theoretically calmer, with opponents who could cause problems coming out of the quarters.

>> Migraine Nole and his relationship with the French public, which is difficult to explain

Novak Djokovic, easy qualifier with Juan Pablo Varillas – Serb to meet Karen Khachanov in Paris quarters

The world wants a show, spectacular rallies, a match that will be remembered for many years. However, Juan Pablo enters the field timidly, as if stunned by the enormity of the central Paris arena and gives the impression that he spent the entire match with a handbrake.

However, it happens to many that they seem to be in a restart or with the handbrake on the field when they come across the “dragon from Serbia”. What we’re talking about, though, is the Nole factor, someone who at the age of 36, who just recently turned 36, looks greener than ever from a physical standpoint.

Joker was putting his foot in the goal from the first shift, authoritatively dominating the match, although he never left the feeling that he was approaching his highest level.

Having reached an incredible milestone in terms of experience, Nole pushes only as hard as necessary. He knows that the hardest part is just beginning, and he doesn’t waste his energy.

The former ATP leader plays, taking care of consumption like a driver who imperceptibly touches the accelerator of his car.

The first phase that breaks the pattern occurs at 4-2 (first set) in favor of the favorite: a perfectionist by nature, Nole gestures and comments on his boxing after losing a point.

The French audience again feel the need to step in, and the Joker is booed out of nowhere. As he said the other day at one of the press conferences, Novak no longer understands anything from the reaction of part of the audience.

Varillas leads the standings for the first time after almost an hour and a half (1-0 in the third set), and in the absence of a real duel on the court, some fans start to disturb the general fun, various colorful cheers. The end of the match comes with the famous waves, and Nole applauds the atmosphere created by the fans.

Although he made two notable sacrifices (Roberto Bautista Agut – 19th seed – and Hubert Gurkach – 13th seed) before the round of 16, Juan Pablo looked like little more than a sparring partner in Sunday’s match.

Nole first of all made his match easy with the first serve. The rematch put constant pressure on the opponent, and the exits to the goal had a very high percentage of success. The victory came naturally, after less than two hours of play (more precisely, an hour and 58 minutes) with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Know:

• After qualifying in the quarters, Jokerul was followed by Aleksandar Kovačević, Marton Fuchović, Alejandro Davidovych Fokina and now Juan Pablo Varillas.

• In the next game, Joker will defeat Karen Khachanov (11th favorite). On Sunday, the Russian defeated Lorenzo Sonego in four sets.

• During this time, Nole and Karen met nine times, and the Serb led with a clear score of 8-1.

• Khachanov won his only victory in 2018 at the Paris Masters (indoor hard court).

• However, the Serb has won seven more games since then. Two of them even went on clay (Roland Garros 2020: 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 and Belgrade: 4-6, 6-1, 6-2).

• Nole won the Roland Garros title in 2016 and 2021.

• If he wins in Paris, the Serb will become the player with the most Grand Slam titles in the history of tennis (he is currently tied with Rafael Nadal at 22).