Defending champion and world No 1 Novak Djokovic survived a five-set close to five-hour epic against Lorenzo Musetti within the latest-ever end to a match in French Open historical past.
The reigning champion showcased the iron will that has made him one of many sport’s best gamers to keep away from defeat in an exhilarating contest that bought underway at 10:40pm native time on Saturday.
Djokovic went on to seal a marathon 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 2-6 6-3 6-0 comeback victory over 22-year-old Italian Musetti to advance to the final 16 in a match that lasted 4 hours and 29 minutes and didn’t conclude till Sunday after 3am native time – shattering the match’s earlier newest end of 1:26am.
The Serbian claimed his 369th Grand Slam match victory to maneuver degree with Roger Federer on the high of the all-time record.
“He played a fantastic match and came very close to victory,” Djokovic stated on court docket.
“I was in great difficulties but thanks to your support in the fourth set, I became a different player. It was perhaps the best match I have played here.”
The 37-year-old recovered from an early lack of serve and went toe-to-toe with the Italian within the draining first set earlier than edging in entrance with an important break because of some unbelievable defending.
Djokovic was quickly in cruise management within the second set with a spectacular drop that gave him a 3-1 lead.
But Musetti broke again and drew degree at 4-4 earlier than saving a set level in a high-quality tie-break to degree the match.
The thirtieth seed then took his sport up just a few notches to interrupt and surge forward within the third set, earlier than sealing it comfortably as alarm bells started to ring for a weary-looking Djokovic, who was pressured to dig deep to haul himself degree.
Djokovic, who ranted in regards to the state of the floor, was additionally referred to as for a time violation by umpire Adel Nour within the decider, shedding his first serve. He pleaded, “Have a little bit of understanding. It’s 4am.”
Nevertheless, he rediscovered his rhythm to bagel his exhausted opponent on the ungodly hour of three:08am.
“Who’s going to sleep now?” Djokovic added. “It’s impossible to sleep, so much adrenaline. If you’re having a party, I’m coming.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion subsequent faces Argentine twenty third seed Francisco Cerundolo, who superior to the fourth spherical for the second consecutive 12 months.
Djokovic, the three-time Roland Garros champion, should attain the ultimate simply to have an opportunity of remaining No 1 within the rankings, however Jannik Sinner is assured to turn into the twenty ninth participant in historical past (since 1973) to rise to high spot if he reaches the ultimate on Sunday.
Zverev survives Griekspoor marathon to advance
World No 4 Alexander Zverev survived a marathon match to beat Tallon Griekspoor 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-6 (10-3) and maintain alive his hopes of a primary Grand Slam title.
“Incredible match, incredible player, unbelievably dangerous. I don’t like to play against him. Credit to him,” stated Zverev.
Zverev, semi-finalist for the final three years, had not dropped a set in his opening two matches, together with a first-round win over Rafael Nadal, however he was on the again foot when the Dutch twenty sixth seed received the opening set.
The German lastly broke serve when main 5-4 within the second set to degree the match and made lighter work of the third set and when Griekspoor took a medical timeout it appeared that Zverev would have little hassle closing out victory.
Griekspoor pressured a deciding set, nonetheless, and held a 4-1 benefit after two breaks of serve earlier than Zverev roared again to win 4 consecutive video games.
The Dutchman stored his nerve to pressure a tie-break, however after an enthralling match lasting over 4 hours on Court Philippe Chatrier, it was Zverev who fired down an ace to clinch victory and attain the second week for the seventh time in a row.
FAA units up Alcaraz blockbuster
Canadian twenty first seed Felix Auger-Aliassime received his rain-delayed third-round match with American fifteenth seed Ben Shelton 6-4 6-2 6-1.
Auger-Aliassime continued the place he left off on Friday when he led 5-4 within the first set earlier than rain stopped play, and will subsequent face Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz within the final 16.
The Canadian leads the Spaniard 3-2 within the pair’s conferences, however Alcaraz has received their previous two clashes.
“For me today the things that were in my control I did really well,” Auger-Aliassime stated.
“I am pleased with how I handled the match and gave him difficulty. I was able to put a lot of returns in and force his targets on first serve.
“He was not getting as many free factors on that serve that he normally will get, so we needed to have interaction in a rally each time and I feel that paid off because the match went on.”
Rain once again disrupted play on the outside courts.
Medvedev overcomes fearless Machac
Daniil Medvedev beat Tomas Machac 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 1-6 6-4 in an exhilarating conflict beneath the roof on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to maneuver into the final 16.
Machac was within the limelight final month when he shocked world No 1 Djokovic within the Geneva Open semi-finals for the most important win of his profession and he pushed Medvedev in a match lasting over three hours.
“It was a very tough match, I’m very happy I stay constant even in the difficult moments,” Medvedev stated.
“It was tight. The match could have turned one way or the other, but I’m happy I’m the one who won.”
Chair umpire Damien Dumusois catches a pigeon that crashed onto the court docket throughout the match
Having taken the primary two units, Medvedev misplaced his approach and capitulated within the third after he broke Machac, with the 23-year-old Czech participant profitable the following six video games to the delight of a crowd starved of motion on a wet day in Paris.
Medvedev refocused within the fourth set, nonetheless, and regardless of Machac’s daring makes an attempt to pressure a decider, the fifth seed stepped up within the essential factors to advance.
Medvedev faces eleventh seed Alex de Minaur after the Australian beat German Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-3.
De Minaur thanked a younger spectator who caught with him all through his rain-delayed four-set win.
He stated: “That young lad was there from the very first point till the last – with five hours of rain delay.
“He was this little child that each single change of ends, each single level I received, he was screaming at my face. I’m taking a look at him and pondering if I used to be a fan, I might in all probability be again residence, as a result of it was bloody chilly on the market.
“I just gave him a hug. I was, like, ‘mate’… It was a relief more than anything. It was amazing. I appreciate this kid.
“You know, yeah, the truth that he is spent 10 hours on the court docket right now within the freezing chilly pumping me up, I used to be completely satisfied that I used to be capable of get a win along with him.”
The 11th seed wrote on social media: “I would like to search out the title of this legend!!! Message me on Instagram, I would like you for the following spherical.”
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