Defending champion and world No 1 Novak Djokovic survived a five-set close to five-hour epic in opposition to 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 recreation’s best gamers to keep away from defeat in an exciting 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 stage with Roger Federer on the high of the all-time record.
“He played a fantastic match and came very close to victory,” Djokovic mentioned on courtroom.
“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 a vital break due to some unbelievable defending.
Djokovic was quickly in cruise management within the second set with a spectacular drop that gave him a 3-1 lead.
However Musetti broke again and drew stage at 4-4 earlier than saving a set level in a high-quality tie-break to stage the match.
The thirtieth seed then took his recreation up a couple of 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 stage.
Djokovic, who ranted concerning 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.”
Nonetheless, 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 hold 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,” mentioned 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 stage the match and made lighter work of the third set and when Griekspoor took a medical timeout it appeared that Zverev would have little bother 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 drive a tie-break, however after an enthralling match lasting over 4 hours on Court docket 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 can 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 mentioned.
“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 often 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 underneath the roof on Court docket Suzanne-Lenglen to maneuver into the final 16.
Machac was within the limelight final month when he surprised 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 mentioned.
“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 courtroom in the course of 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 successful the subsequent 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 drive 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 throughout his rain-delayed four-set win.
He mentioned: “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 am taking a look at him and considering if I used to be a fan, I’d in all probability be again dwelling, 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 already know, yeah, the truth that he is spent 10 hours on the courtroom right now within the freezing chilly pumping me up, I used to be completely happy that I used to be in a position to get a win along with him.”
The 11th seed wrote on social media: “I would like to search out the identify of this legend!!! Message me on Instagram, I would like you for the subsequent spherical.”
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