Novak Djokovic eases into last 16 with 99th French Open match win of career

Novak Djokovic notched his 99th career match victory at the French Open, defeating Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round on a memorable Saturday night in Paris.

As 40,000 fans watched Paris Saint-Germain crush Inter Milan 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League final on video screens across the road at the Parc des Princes, the 38-year-old Serbian turned on the style on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Three-time French Open champion Djokovic, bidding for a historic 25th Grand Slam title, was given a thorough workout at times by his 23-year-old opponent, but more than matched Misolic's power and always looked to be in complete control.

Djokovic failed to convert nine break points in the early going, but finally made the pressure stand up to grab a 4-2 lead after showing incredible defensive skills to retrieve a barrage of smashes.

The Serbian fended off a break after falling behind 2-1 in the second set, and earned applause from the fans as he sportingly dusted his opponent down after Misolic tumbled over and had his sweat-soaked shirt coated in clay.

He soon went back to displaying his ruthless side, however, breaking the Austrian's serve with a backhand winner as he raced into a two-set lead.

The sixth seed was in no mood for a late night, as exploding fireworks and nearly-as-loud roars rang out from across the street, and the third set followed the same pattern as he cruised through to a last 16 clash against Britain's Cameron Norrie.

After winning his 100th career title in Geneva in the build-up to his latest foray at Roland-Garros, Djokovic has yet to drop a set in three rounds, and is looking to make another deep run in the French capital.

"I'm just hoping to carry on. Every time I step onto this court, I'm playing for history," said Djokovic, who showed no sign of the blisters that troubled him in the previous round.

Should Djokovic beat Norrie, he will surpass his number of career match wins at the Australian Open, which he has won 10 times, while also maintaining his standard of reaching at least the quarterfinals at the French Open every year since 2010.

In other action, top-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy dominated Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 in just one hour and 34 minutes, the fastest men's match at Roland-Garros this year and, measured by games lost, the most lopsided victory of the World No. 1's career at any of the sport's four Grand Slam tournaments.

"We try to improve," Sinner said. "Today, I don't think there are many things I can improve."

Sinner pounded 31 winners and committed just nine unforced errors. He accumulated 18 break points, converting seven, and faced just one, which he saved.

The first 11 games went the Italian's way. When he sailed a return wide, taking the score to 6-0, 5-1 after 55 minutes of action, Lehecka raised his arm and pumped his fist in mock celebration. The fans went wild, rising from their seats while clapping and shouting, eliciting a smile from the Czech.

Sinner's bid for a first French Open title, and fourth Grand Slam trophy overall, will continue on Monday, when he faces 17th-seeded Andrey Rublev for a place in the quarterfinals. Rublev advanced when his opponent, 14th seed Arthur Fils, withdrew from the competition due to a stress fracture in his lower back.