Novak Djokovic triumphs over Lorenzo Musetti in French Open five-set epic
Novak Djokovic endured a grueling five-set match against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti at the French Open, finally securing victory at 03:07 local time in Paris.
This third-round clash, which started at 22:37 on Saturday due to a rain-affected schedule, saw the defending champion claw back from two sets to one down, ultimately winning 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.
The 37-year-old Serb faced a formidable challenge from the 30th-seeded Musetti. Despite the pressure and the late hour, Djokovic found renewed energy midway through the fourth set. He broke Musetti’s serve six consecutive times, shifting the momentum in his favor and dominating the final set.
The epic contest concluded with a heartfelt embrace between the two players, and Djokovic joined the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd in applauding his 22-year-old opponent.
The match lasted four hours and 29 minutes, reinforcing Djokovic’s determination to secure his fourth French Open title. His next opponent will be the 23rd seed, Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, in the last 16.
Musetti, who had previously pushed Djokovic to the limit in a 2021 Roland Garros match before retiring due to injury, started strong by breaking Djokovic’s serve in the third game.
Although Djokovic immediately responded and secured the first set, Musetti fought back fiercely. He came from 4-1 down in the second set to level the match, saving a set point in the tie-break, and then broke Djokovic twice in the third set to take a 2-1 lead.
However, Djokovic’s experience and resilience shone through in the fourth set. At 2-2, he found another level of play and clinched the match with a stunning crosscourt forehand return winner.
Despite Musetti’s impressive performance, Djokovic’s late surge ensured his place in the next round of the French Open.
