Djokovic hangs on to defeat Musetti in latest ever French Open finish

On a cold and damp Saturday night at Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic's bid for a 25th Grand Slam appeared to be hanging by a thread, but the Serbian battled back for a 7-5 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-0 win over Lorenzo Musetti in the latest ever French Open finish.

The reigning champion demonstrated the iron will that has made him one of the game's greatest players by avoiding defeat in a thrilling third-round match that began at 10.37 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Some 4-1/2 hours later, at 3.06 a.m. on Sunday morning, the fans who had huddled under rugs as the 37-year-old orchestrated his superb comeback rose to their feet, raising the roof of the main showcourt.

"He played a fantastic match and came very close to victory," Djokovic said on court.

"I was in great difficulties but thanks to your support in the fourth set, I became a different player. It was perhaps the best match I have played here."

Djokovic recovered from an early serve loss and battled the Italian in the draining first set before edging ahead with a crucial break in the 12th game thanks to some incredible defending.

Following that lengthy rally, the world number one lowered his head and gasped for air, but he quickly took command of the second set with a spectacular drop that gave him a 3-1 lead.

Musetti, on the other hand, broke back and levelled the match at 4-4 before saving a set point in a high-quality tie-break, and the 30th seed upped his game to break and surge ahead in the third set, before sealing it comfortably as alarm bells began to ring for a fading Djokovic.

Djokovic, who complained to the umpire about the condition of the surface, rediscovered his rhythm to finish the fourth set before pulling away from his exhausted opponent in the final.

"Who's going to sleep now?" Djokovic added. "It's impossible to sleep, so much adrenaline. If you're having a party, I'm coming."

Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, also survived a scare in an evening marathon, defeating Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-6 (10-3) to advance to the fourth round.

In the women's draw, second seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated best friend Paula Badosa 7-5 6-1 in a tough match, while Russian-born Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva gained a lot of new fans after flying the flag for her adopted country.

After Corentin Moutet gave French fans a Friday night to remember by defeating Sebastian Ofner, new crowd favourite Gracheva lit up another soggy day with a 7-5 6-3 victory over Irina-Camelia Begu.

The last Frenchwoman left in the women's draw was treated to a rousing rendition of the national anthem "La Marseillaise" and she joined the fans in celebration.

"I'll remember this moment until the end of my life," said a beaming Gracheva, who received her French passport in 2023 after living in the country for more than five years.

"It means that everyone accepts me, that I'm home here."

While Gracheva received the most attention in the afternoon, fellow Moscow-born player Elena Rybakina continued to fly under the radar as the fourth seed defeated Elise Mertens 6-4 6-2.

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada, the 21st seed, defeated American Ben Shelton 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 under the Suzanne Lenglen roof, as rain delayed play on the outside courts.

When play resumed, Alex De Minaur defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 to become the first Australian to reach the fourth round in Paris since Lleyton Hewitt in 2007, and he launched a search for a superfan who inspired him.

SportsLigue