Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses with spectators after winning his third round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Friday, June 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
PARIS — Novak Djokovic takes on a familiar adversary in the fourth round of the French Open on Sunday.
The former top-ranked Serb faces Fernando Verdasco on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he won the last of his 12 major titles in 2016.
Djokovic, now seeded 20th as he continues his comeback from a long-term elbow injury, has won the past five encounters against the Spanish veteran.
Two other title contenders are in men’s fourth-round action.
Looking to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal is No. 2 Alexander Zverev of Germany, who plays big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
No. 7 Dominic Thiem of Austria — a semifinalist at Roland Garros the past two years — faces No. 19 Kei Nishikori of Japan. They are scheduled first on Chatrier in warm and sunny conditions.
Later on Lenglen, two-time Grand Slam champion Caroline Wozniacki — seeded second — had a tough-looking fourth-round match against Daria Kasatkina.
The 14th-seeded Russian has beaten her twice this year.