Italian Open: Defending champion Novak Djokovic battles to three-set win over Grigor Dimitrov to reach last 16 in Rome

14.05.2023 - 16:11 eurosport.com

Defending champion Novak Djokovic faced a tough battle to reach the Italian Open last 16 as he defeated Grigor Dimitrov in three sets to continue his bid for a seventh Rome title.

The top seed clinched a 6-3 4-6 6-1 win in two hours and 19 minutes and will face British No. 1 Cameron Norrie or Marton Fucsovics next as he continues to build fitness and form ahead of the French Open later this month.

Ad Djokovic will bid for an outright record 23rd Grand Slam in Paris, but his focus this week is on shaking off recent injury troubles and continuing his remarkable record in the Eternal City.

ATP RomeDjokovic 'honoured' to play in front of 'avid tennis fan' Mourinho at Italian OpenYESTERDAY AT 09:59 The 35-year-old has never failed to make it to the quarter-finals in 16 previous appearances at the ATP Masters 1000 event and remains on course to continue that run in 2023.

tennis win Novak Djokovic Cameron Norrie Grigor Dimitrov Britain France Serbia Italy Paris Rome county Centre Bulgaria

The two-time champion Novak Djokovic on Friday produced a masterclass performance on the Court Philippe-Chatrier to overcome a fierce challenge from Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to seal a 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-2 third-round victory in the ongoing French Open 2023. His next opponent in Paris will be either 13th seed Hubert Hurkacz or Juan Pablo Varillas. Djokovic, the two-time winner, held off a torrent of powerful hitting from the 29th seed Davidovich Fokina in two enthralling opening sets on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The Serbian grabbed command in the third set and cruised to a three-hour, 36-minute triumph.

Novak Djokovic battles into fourth round at French Open

Novak Djokovic fought off a terrific challenge from Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to reach the fourth round of the French Open for a 14th consecutive year.

French Open: Cameron Norrie eases into third round at Roland-Garros with straight-sets win over Lucas Pouille

Cameron Norrie produced a superb performance to reach the French Open third round, crushing home favourite Lucas Pouille 6-1 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 45 minutes. The Brit, seeded 14th at Roland-Garros, needed little over an hour to go two sets to the good in an electric start to the match. Ad World No.

Novak Djokovic made to fight for opening win at French Open

Novak Djokovic began his bid for a 23rd Grand Slam singles title with a straight-sets win over Aleksandar Kovacevic in the French Open first round on Monday.

Novak Djokovic Battles Into French Open Second Round, Carlos Alcaraz Waits

Novak Djokovic started his bid for a men's record 23rd Grand Slam singles title with a straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic in the French Open first round on Monday, as Carlos Alcaraz waited to open his tournament. Two-time Roland Garros champion Djokovic held off a late rally from his American opponent on Court Philippe Chatrier to clinch a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) victory. He has still not lost in his opening match of a major since the 2006 Australian Open. "I'm very motivated to stay in this tournament for a long time, it's just the start now," said Djokovic after kicking off his 19th consecutive French Open campaign.

Novak Djokovic Eyes History At French Open As Iga Swiatek Launches Title Defence

Novak Djokovic will bid for a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title at a French Open without his old rival Rafael Nadal for the first time since 2004, while Iga Swiatek attempts to become the first woman to defend the title in 16 years. Serbian veteran Djokovic will not be the favourite for the title, though, after struggling with an elbow injury and failing to get past the quarter-finals in any of his three clay-court events so far this season. Carlos Alcaraz won the Barcelona and Madrid Opens en route to taking over from Djokovic as world number one, while Daniil Medvedev is seeded second for Roland Garros after his maiden clay triumph in Rome.