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. [Djokovic] is still giving it everythihng. It’s amazing to me.”

Twelve of the top 13 men’s seeds remain alive heading into the round of 16.

More rain delays kept Djokovic waiting in the Roland Garros locker room before the match. He then complained during the match about the condition of the clay, asking for more constant sweeping of the court.

At times during the middle of the match, it appeared that Djokovic might not have the legs or the will to pull it out.

But in the decisive fifth set, Djokovic broke for a 2-0 lead when Musetti hit a touch forehand wide. Both men bent over exhausted after the point.

Djokovic seized a 4-0 double break when he hit a deep forehand that Musetti smacked wide after it hit the net.

With Musetti serving at 0-5, 15-40, Djokovic won it with a crosscourt forehand winner.

With Djokovic struggling in the middle of the match, Musetti took a 4-1 lead in the third set and served it out at 5-2 when Djokovic sailed a forehand volley long on set point.

In the fourth set, Djokovic broke for a 3-2 lead and then pumped his fist to the crowd. He earned a double-break for 5-2 and then, after giving one back, tied the match at two sets apiece with a forehand volley winner.

Alexander Zverev provided the early drama on Chatrier as the German No. 4 seed was dragged into a battle by Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor before prevailing 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10-3). He was down a double-break in the fifth set.

“I always struggle against him. I don’t like to play against him but all the credit to him for taking it all the way,” Zverev, who took out 14-time champ Rafael Nadal in the first round, said after avoiding what would have been his earliest loss in Paris since a first-round exit in 2017.

“Incredible player and fighter until the end. The atmosphere today was unbelievable. I loved every second of it.”

With Grigor Dimitrov’s match against Zizou Bergs shifted to the main showcourt, Djokovic had to twiddle his thumbs ahead of his clash with Musetti. Dimitrov advanced in four sets and and will next face No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz in the fourth round after Hurkacz ousted Canadian Denis Shapovalov in four sets.

No. 5 Daniil Medvedev got past Tomáš Macháč in four sets and will next meet No. 11 Alex de Minaur.

Ben Shelton, the American No. 15 seed, finished his match, losing to No. 21 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. His reward is a match with No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz on Monday afternoon.

On the women’s side, No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka overcame Paula Badosa in a testing clash between best friends, while Russian-born Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva won plenty of new admirers after she kept the flag flying for her adopted country.

(Reuters contributed reporting)