Novak Djokovic, 39, comes through a difficult start to win his French Open opener against 22-year-old home player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Playing on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday, Djokovic faces a hostile crowd and an opponent who nearly half his age pushes him early. Djokovic drops the first set 5-7, but he rallies to level the match by taking the second set 7-5. He then wins the third set 6-1, before closing out the match with a 6-4 victory in the fourth. The match lasts 2 hours 51 minutes. Both accounts describe a period of adjustment as Djokovic eventually finds breaks and control later in the contest, after struggling at the beginning. Djokovic’s win marks his record 82nd Grand Slam appearance. After the match, he comments on the pressure of playing a French player in front of a crowd at Roland Garros, but also characterizes the outcome as a good, timely start for his tournament.
Djokovic fights through hostile crowd to beat Perricard in French Open first round
Novak Djokovic, 39, comes through a difficult start to win his French Open opener against 22-year-old home player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Playing on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday, Djokovic fac...
- Novak Djokovic, 39, beats 22-year-old French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the French Open first round.
- Djokovic wins in four sets: 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.
- The match is played at Roland Garros on Court Philippe-Chatrier and lasts 2 hours 51 minutes.
- Djokovic records his 82nd Grand Slam appearance with the victory.
- Both reports cite a hostile crowd and Djokovic’s slow start before he gains control of the match.
PARIS — At age 39, Novak Djokovic can still wear opponents down. Even opponents nearly half his age — and in front of a hostile crowd. Djokovic came back from a set down for a 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 victory over 22-year-old home player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the French Open on Sunday in his record 82nd Grand Slam appearance. READ: Novak Djokovic hints at retirement as time seeps away on history bid Novak just enjoying the moment 😁 Djokovic qui ambiance le court Philippe-Chatrier au changement de côté est notre nouvel instant détente avec Hespéride […]...Keep on reading: French Open: Novak Djokovic overcomes slow start, hostile crowd
3 months agoAt age 39, Novak Djokovic can still wear opponents down. Even opponents nearly half his age - and in front of a hostile crowd. Djokovic came back from a set down for a 5-7 7-5 6-1 6-4 victory over 22-year-old home player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the French Open on Sunday in his record 82nd Grand Slam appearance. "Obviously playing a French player, centre court at Roland Garros is never so easy. The crowd gets into it and then you feel the pressure even more," Djokovic said after the 2 hour, 51-minute encounter. "But all in all it was a good match to be part of: Three hours, just what the doctor ordered at age 39." Grunting during long rallies and digging deep on the opening night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, it wasn't until 1 hour, 45 minutes in that Djokovic finally found a way to break his 6-foot-7 (2.01-meter) opponent and even the match at a set all. The crowd was pumped for a potential stunner - after all, Djokovic hasn't lost in the first roun
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