World No. 1 Djokovic Survives 5-Set Epic To Advance In French Open Match That Ends After 3 AM
Novak Djokovic remains alive for a 25th Grand Slam title and to retain his world No. 1 ranking.
The 37-year-old Serb equaled Roger Federer atop the all-time majors win list at 369 by outlasting No. 30 seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, 7-5, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 on Court Philippe Chatrier to advance to the fourth round of the French Open. Djokovic, who is seeking his fourth Roland Garros title, prevailed after 4 hours, 29 minutes.
The match began at just after 10:30 p.m. local time, two hours later than it was scheduled, and ended at 3:08 a.m. It was the latest ending in Roland Garros history and the second longest match of this year’s French Open.
Djokovic will next face No. 23 Francisco Cerúndolo on Monday night.
Three years ago, Djokovic overcame a two-sets-to-love deficit to prevail over Musetti in the fourth round when the Italian retired in the fifth et.
Djokovic needs to at least reach the final to have a chance of preventing another Italian, Jannik Sinner, from ascending to world No. 1 after Roland Garros. Djokovic, the all-time men’s leader with 24 Grand Slam titles, lost to eventual champ Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals.
“He’s like LeBron James to me,” John McEnroe said on Peacock of Djokovic. “[James is] 39.
