Djokovic will face former world No.1 Andy Murray or Canadian Denis Shapovalov (16th) in the round of 16.
It is not yet the best "Djoko": the Serb is still looking for rhythm after a first quarter at a standstill or almost marked by his expulsion from Australia, for lack of vaccination with Covid-19.
His fragility in the forehand in particular testifies to this.
Serbian Novak Djokovic, during his victory, 6-3, 6-2, against Gaël Monfils, in the second round of the Masters 1000 in Madrid, May 3, 2022 GABRIEL BOUYS AFP
However, this was more than enough to dismiss Monfils, also in the recovery phase after a month without competition due to "discomfort in one foot".
Casually, Djokovic pocketed his first victory in two sets since he put the machine back on the road with the return of the circuit to Europe for the season on clay.
In Monte-Carlo, he fell from the start (against Alejandro Davidovich), and in Belgrade, he sank in the last set of the final, losing 6-0 to Andrey Rublev.
Monfils eliminated, there is only one Frenchman left in the race: Lucas Pouille, opposed to world No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round on Wednesday.
© 2022 AFP