Tennis Djokovic cruises into record 12th Roland Garros quarter-final Fernando Verdasco was no match for Novak Djokovic, who eased into a ninth straight French Open quarter-final. Peter Thompson 03 June, 2018 23:23 IST Twelve-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic - Getty Images Peter Thompson 03 June, 2018 23:23 IST Novak Djokovic cruised into an Open Era-record 12th French Open quarter-final with a straight-sets defeat of Fernando Verdasco on Sunday. The 12-time grand slam champion also matched Roger Federer's record of nine consecutive appearances in the last eight at Roland Garros with a dominant 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory. Djokovic has lost his way since completing a career Grand Slam in Paris two years ago, but he has been looking more like one of the modern-day greats this week after recovering from elbow surgery. The 20th seed from Serbia dominated the Spaniard on Court Philippe Chatrier, beating him for a sixth consecutive time to book a meeting with surprise package Marco Cecchinato. Verdasco made 48 unforced errors and grew increasingly furious with himself as he missed out on a first French Open quarter-final at the 16th attempt. Djokovic roared after saving two break points to hold in a lengthy third game and conjured up a majestic forehand winner in the next to take a 3-1 lead. The 2016 champion showed plenty of aggression and went a set up when the 30th seed thudded a backhand into the net from the baseline with Djokovic charging forwards. Verdasco chuntered at himself, towards his box and at the chair umpire as he toiled in the heat, a wild forehand gifting Djokovic a break in the first game of the second set. The former world number one was pegged back at 3-3 when he was broken to love in a poor service game, but Verdasco threw his racket down after he failed to hold in the next. Djokovic wrapped up the second set with a rasping forehand winner after his opponent was treated for a blister on his right foot and another errant backhand put Verdasco a break down in the first game of the third. Djokovic went a double break up with a flustered Verdasco wilting, the world number 35 packing his bag in a hurry after blasting a forehand long to bow out. STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN Djokovic [20] bt Verdasco [30] 6-3 6-4 6-2 WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Djokovic – 21/29 Verdasco – 26/48 ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Djokovic – 3/0 Verdasco – 3/2 BREAK POINTS WON Djokovic – 5/10 Verdasco – 1/5 FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Djokovic – 72 Verdasco – 66 PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Djokovic – 62/69 Verdasco – 56/54 TOTAL POINTS Djokovic – 106 Verdasco – 89