Djokovic's 25th Slam bid ends with French Open loss to Fonseca - ESPN

PARIS — Novak Djokovic's latest quest for a record 25th Grand Slam was ended by Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca after a five-set fight in the third round of the French Open on Friday.

The three-time champion at Roland Garros lost 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 as temperatures again reached 33 degrees C (91 F). It was just the second time Djokovic has lost from two sets up, the other also coming in Paris in 2010.

The 39-year-old Djokovic looked exhausted in the fifth set but soldiered on.

«An incredible match to be part of. Obviously, tough one for me to lose being two sets to love up, but huge credit to Joao for really deserving to win the match,» Djokovic said. «I was barely standing on my legs toward the end of the match.»

His exit leaves the men's draw even more open following Jannik Sinner's second-round exit on Thursday.

Djokovic mixed trademark defense with stunning winners and delicate drop shots to win the first two sets. But the 19-year-old Fonseca was resilient and tied the match on sets. In the final game, Djokovic had a break point for 6-6 but Fonseca served out with three consecutive aces and became the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a Grand Slam tournament.

«I just enjoyed being on court and what a pleasure it was. It's my first stepping on court against him,» Fonseca said. «I was just trying to hit the ball as fast I could. Djokovic don't miss, we still think he's 20. At the end of the match I think he was more fit than me, that's crazy.»

About his flurry of aces, he joked: «I felt like (big server) John Isner. I never did this before.»

Then he wished his mother in the crowd happy birthday and thanked all the Brazilians in the crowd.

Djokovic came to Roland Garros with doubts. After he lost the Australian