Djokovic’s Roland Garros 2016 mission

Novak Djokovic heads into the 2016 French Open on a mission to claim the only grand slam title to have eluded him.

Novak Djokovic in action against Kei Nishikori at Madrid Masters. AFP

Last year after disposing of the nine time champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, the Serb was anointed the champion. It was a status further enhanced by a gritty five set victory over Andy Murray in the semi-final.

The final, on a searingly hot Sunday pitted Djokovic against the mercurial Stan Wawrinka.

The Swiss was, unfortunately for Djokovic, on fire and swept past him in four sets.

Since that final Djokovic has gone on to claim Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open.

Indeed, if he is triumphant on the third Sunday of the tournament, he will be the first man to win four consecutive grand slam crowns since Rod Laver pulled off a grand slam in 1969.

Neither Roger Federer in his pomp nor Nadal at his swashbuckling zenith achieved that feat.

For the 2016 assault, Djokovic won’t have to contend with Federer – the Swiss former world number one has pulled out with a back complaint.

Murray, the world number two, is the main threat, moreso after taking Djokovic to three sets on the clay at the Madrid Open before losing and then beating the Serb 6-3 6-3 on the clay at the Italian Open on 16 May.

Nadal is showing signs of his old menace on clay and in April claimed the Monte Carlo Open for the ninth time. It was his 48 the title on the surface and the 29-year-old Spaniard is just one championship away from equalling the Argentine Guillermo Vilas. Roland Garros would be the ideal venue to draw level with Vilas.

Seeded fourth, Nadal is scheduled to meet top seed Djokovic in the semi-final.

As for Wawrinka, he comes to defend his crown on the back of a win at the Geneva Open.

With the withdrawal of his compatriot Federer, the defending champion is seeded third. If all goes according to plan, Wawrinka is due to meet Murray in the semi-finals.

But with middling form of late, the question will be: can Stan be the man?