Two-time champion Novak Djokovic huffed and puffed but forced his way into the fourth round of the French Open with a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over Spanish 29th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Friday.
Djokovic, who is aiming to nose past injured champion Rafael Nadal and be the first man to win a 23rd Grand Slam title, came into the match at Court Philippe Chatrier having lost to Davidovich Fokina the last time they met, in Monte Carlo.
The 36-year-old Serbian player was given an early reminder of his struggles in that 2022 match by man-bun-sporting Davidovich Fokina, who had the world No.
3 tied up in knots with some heavy hitting and breathtaking drop shots. Djokovic creaked on serve but hit back when it mattered to level at 3-3 and edged the 83-minute first set with a blistering crosscourt winner that drew huge roars.