Novak Djokovic again survives another five sets at Roland Garros | ATP Tour

Roland Garros

Djokovic survives again for another five sets at Roland Garros

The Serb beat Serundolo in the deciding set

June 03, 2024

After outlasting Lorenzo Musetti in a match that ended after 3am, Novak Djokovic returned to the Philippe Chatrier to try to press on in his second Grand Slam of the season, where he defends the title he won last year.

And he did it, defeating Francisco Cerundolo in an epic manner, just as he did the day before against the Italian. The number one PIF ATP ranking needed five sets and four hours and 40 minutes to defeat his opponent 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, who was only two games away from victory. (4-2 in the fourth set) and saw the Serb grit his teeth to stay alive in Paris.

With this victory, Djokovic became the player with the most Grand Slam victories (370 victories compared to Federer’s 369) and made 59 appearances in the quarter-finals of major tournaments, more than anyone in history.

In the Lexus ATP Head2Head pair’s first clash, Djokovic was able to start as a team with an impressive first set in which he left the Argentine with no options. The 24-Major champion, who dominated his opponents, began his journey to the quarterfinals on the right foot, setting the pace and controlling all aspects of the game.

However, everything changed in the second quarter. With right knee problems plaguing him for the rest of the day, Djokovic saw Serundolo believe in the match, which ultimately put him on the ropes and came very close to snatching victory.

Step by step, the Argentine made his way through the sunny day. By winning the second set and leveling the scores, Serundolo found the confidence he needed and put himself in a strong position to beat the world number one, as well as take third and go up on a break in the fourth at 4-2. making it very close to the quarter-finals.

When it seemed all was lost, as in the third round against Musetti, the Serb resurfaced, agonizingly winning the fourth set, backed by a string of winners, and reaching the fifth, ready to complete his comeback by opening a 2-0 lead in his service.

Faced with this, Serundolo held his ground, broke it (2-2) and the deciding set turned into a brawl between both players, with the Serbian emerging victorious, once again sending a message to all his opponents: his ability to resist is beyond belief. any debate.

With 24 major titles to his name, Djokovic is aiming to extend that legendary mark at Roland Garros in a tournament he has won three times (2016, 2021, 2023).