PARIS – Novak Djokovic overcame a challenging match at the French Open, facing a physical issue and a determined opponent.Djokovic, dealing with a blister on his left big toe that required medical assistance in the third set, was one point away from going to a fourth set before securing the victory over Corentin Moutet with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1).
“With him, anything is possible. But I managed to find the right shots to stay in the match,” Djokovic commented.
Novak Djokovic
This triumph marks the twentieth time Djokovic has reached the third round at Roland-Garros, an unprecedented record, surpassing even Rafael Nadal.
With two more victories, Djokovic will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament for the sixteenth consecutive year. In 2024, he withdrew before that round after suffering a knee injury.Djokovic has won three of his 24 Grand Slam titles in Paris, an unparalleled achievement in men’s tennis.
In the match against Moutet, a left-handed tennis player representing France, Djokovic lost the first game on the Suzanne-Lenglen court, to the euphoria of the public. However, he quickly regained control of the match. The challenge arose in the third set, with the score tied at 2.
Djokovic, after a bike ride through Paris on Wednesday night, felt a move and requested medical assistance. The coach treated and bandaged the affected finger.
This season, Djokovic has experienced challenges, including losing streaks. However, he managed to break his negative streak by winning his 100th title at the Geneva Open, before reaching Roland-Garros.
“Before last week’s tournament in Geneva, I didn’t feel confident in my game. It’s normal to feel that way, because I hadn’t won enough matches. I’m like any other player in that respect. I’ve had to work hard to win,” explained Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic
