Novak Djokovic staged a dramatic comeback to win another five-set match at the French Open and keep alive his bid to win a record 25th Grand Slam title. The world No.1 only finished his third round victory over Lorenzo Musetti at 3.08am in the early hours of Sunday morning.
And back on Court Philippe-Chatrier at 4pm today, the Serbian superstar won the first set appeared to be limping to a shock defeat against No.23 seed Francisco Cerundolo when he needed treatment for a knee injury.
The Serb wanted the court swept to help his injury and told the tournament supervisor: “You screwed my knee.”
He pulled up in agony chasing a drop shot in the fourth set but refused to retire.
The Argentine led two sets to one and then 4-2 in the fourth – and had a break point to serve for the match at 5-5.
But after being only five points from defeat, the Serbian superstar fought back to win 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 6-3 in front of an ecstatic crowd on the Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The defending whipped up the fans before taking his first match point after four hours and 39 minutes. He had taken four hours and 29 minutes to overcome Musetti.
This remarkable win was also his 370th in Grand Slam matches – overtaking the record he had shared with Roger Federer – to reach to record 59th Grand Slam quarter-final.
After raising his arms in triumph, he told the crowd: “The victory is yours. The last match I was two sets to one against Musetti and the energy on the court gave me a lot of help today as well. I was not at my best level.
“I was perhaps three or four matches from losing thai match.
“I don’t know how I found a way to win this match today. The only explanation is you.”
“I was perhaps three or four matches from losing thai match.
“I don’t know how I found a way to win this match today. The only explanation is you.”
