Novak Djokovic sets up Juan Martin Del Potro clash

(GETTY IMAGES)

Novak Djokovic will play Juan Martin Del Potro in a blockbuster third-round clash at the French Open on Friday after making it 41 consecutive victories this evening.

The second seed had a helping hand from opponent Victor Hanescu, who retired in the third set of their clash on Court Philippe Chatrier when trailing 6-4 6-1 2-3.

The Romanian had received treatment to his left thigh throughout the third set and at 30-0 down in the sixth game decided he could no longer continue.

World number 60 Hanescu is no mug on clay and reached the final of the ATP World Tour event in Nice last weekend, and in the early stages he frustrated Djokovic.

The Serbian was not quite as fluent as he had been in his first-round demolition of Thiemo De Bakker and he showed his frustration as Hanescu stayed on level terms.

The first break points of the match did not come until the ninth game, but they were set points for Djokovic as the Australian Open champion finally created an opening.

Hanescu saved both of those as the Serbian went long off his backhand wing, but a third followed and this time it was the Romanian who missed with a backhand.

Djokovic was now in control and he made it seven straight games to all but seal the second set as Hanescu began to find the going rather tough.

The 24-year-old has not lost a match since his semi-final against Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals in London in November but former US Open champion Del Potro looked impressive in his 6-3 6-2 6-4 win over Blaz Kavcic today and will provide stiff opposition.