Djokovic battles past French hope Royer, rising star Jodar also wins
Novak Djokovic overcame some stiff resistance from home player Valentin Royer to move into the third round of the French Open with a 6-3 6-2 6-7(7) 6-3 victory on Wednesday.
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The Serbian third seed, eying a history-making 25th Grand Slam title at the age of 39, was precision personified as he breezed through the opening two sets on another sweltering day on Court Philippe Chatrier.
But just as in his first round against another Frenchman, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Djokovic was forced to expend more of his energy reserves than he would have liked, eventually subduing Royer in three hours and 44 minutes.
"That was really, really hard, it was a big challenge," a weary-looking Djokovic said on court after sealing victory on his fifth match point. "I've played two matches and I feel like I've played for two weeks."
Djokovic took the opening set by converting one of the two break points on offer while not giving his opponent a sniff.
It was just as clinical in the second set and he was in control of the third too as he moved a break of serve ahead.
But he was then dragged into a fierce baseline scrap as 24-year-old Royer, who has barely won a match on the ATP Tour this season, began to make his mark with some huge forehand power.
Royer saved a match point in the third-set tiebreak and then pounced to extend the contest to the delight of the crowd.
There were signs of irritation as Djokovic railed at his coaching box but he was soon back in the groove to forge 4-1 ahead in the fourth set as the shadows lengthened.
The three-time French Open champion, making his record-equalling 22nd appearance in the main draw, suffered a wobble when serving for the match at 5-3, letting three match points slip by and saving a break point before sealing the win as he came out on top in a gruelling 18-stroke rally.
He becomes only the fourth man in the professional era to reach the third round in Paris after his 39th birthday but will have his eyes set on a much deeper run.
"I hope I will not play a French player again for the rest of the tournament," Djokovic said.
MENSIK, JODAR ADVANCE
Czech Jakub Mensik, the only player other than Djokovic to beat Sinner this year, needed eight match points before eventually downing Mariano Navone 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (13/11).
Rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time, seeing off James Duckworth 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-5.
Russian 11th seed Andrey Rublev was given a three-hour workout in the Paris heat in a 6-1 1-6 6-3 7-6(5) victory over Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli to move into the third round, while Russian 13th seed Karen Khachanov beat Marco Trungelliti 7-6(5) 5-7 6-1 7-6(4) in a match that lasted nearly four hours to reach the third round.
ZVEREV EASES SAFELY TO SECOND ROUND
Alexander Zverev continued his bid for a maiden Grand Slam title with a comfortable victory over ailing Czech Tomas Machac in the French Open second round on Wednesday.
The German second seed will face home player Quentin Halys on Friday for a place in the second week at Roland Garros after a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win in the night session match on Court Philippe Chatrier.
"I'm happy where I am, I'm feeling confident in my game and moving forward, looking forward to hopefully being back on this court," said Zverev.
Machac, the world number 43, struggled with his movement and took a lengthy medical time-out in the second set for treatment to his left foot.
"I thought for one and a half sets it was an amazing level... unfortunately the injury stopped the match flow a little bit," added Zverev. "I'm happy to finish it in three sets."
Zverev took full advantage with a dominant display, saving the only break point he faced as he dismantled Machac in just an hour and 48 minutes.
The world No 3 has come closest to breaking his major duck in Paris, reaching at least the quarterfinals in each of the past five years, suffering a five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 final.
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