FrenchNovak Djokovic needed more than three and a half hours to beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-2 in the third round of Roland Garros on June 2.
The match was only three sets long, but it wasn't easy for Djokovic. In the first two sets, Nole was pushed into the wall by his opponent, but won both sets thanks to his bravery at the decisive moment. After winning two tie-break series, Nole took advantage of the excitement to close the match with a score of 7-6, 7-6, 6-2.
Djokovic celebrated his second set victory in a relaxed way, as the audience cheered for rival Davidovich Fokina. Image: AP
Twice lost the first serve game in the first set, but Djokovic was undeterred. Even with a 5-6 lead, he still won the catch game to drag the first set into the tie-break, before winning the series 7-4 thanks to the winner's forehand return.
Davidovich Fokina continued to advance early in the second set, leading 2-0. But Djokovic returned in time, winning two games to catch the ball to lead 3-2 back. The set saw Nole lose three games of service, leaving Davidovich Fokina to lead 6-5. The Spaniard then had a set-point in the next game, but Nole saved it. In the tie-break series, Djokovic won 7-5 again after overcoming a series of suffocating balls. The first two sets of the match were nearly three hours long.
The French audience this match continued to not be on Djokovic's side. Nole was booed by fans at the Philippe Chatrier pitch as he called for medical attention after the second set. He responded by asking the audience to continue booing. "They shouldn't have booed him, because that just makes him better," former tennis players Mats Wilander and Tim Henman shared when commenting on Eurosport.
The experts were right. When he returned in the third set, Djokovic did not give Davidovich Fokina a chance to win a ball game, and twice used break-points to close the match after more than three and a half hours. In the fourth round, Nole will face Juan Pablo Varillas – who defeated Hubert Hurkacz in five sets.
Main developments of the Djokovic – Davidovich Fokina match on June 2.
Djokovic raised his record against Davidovich Fokina to 3 wins - 1 loss. Last year, he lost to the Spaniard in the ATP 1000 clay Monte Carlo Masters. "I know Davidovich Fokina is a difficult opponent to play," said Djokovic after the third round match. "He doesn't have many weaknesses. If I lose the second set, the match can be up to five hours long. Playing on the slowest court requires a lot of effort. I always believe in myself and am proud of today's performance."
Nhan Dat
