French Open: Novak Djokovic Battles Past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina To Reach Fourth Round

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.

Djokovic fell a break of service down twice in the first set against the Spaniard on Friday, as Davidovich Fokina's crisp hitting tugged the Serbian all about Court Philippe-Chatrier. Djokovic, on both instances, recaptured the break in the following game, and the 36-year-old then elevated his game in the tie-break, claiming the set with a magnificent forehand return winner.

Any notion that disappointment would dampen Davidovich Fokina's challenge was swiftly dispelled, as the Spaniard raced out to a 2-0 lead in the second set. Djokovic raced to a four-game lead, but Davidovich Fokina, who beat Djokovic on clay in Monte Carlo last year, fought to force a tie-break.

In the tie-break, the World No. 3 found another gear, winning a series of lung-busting rallies to extend his lead. After winning the set, Djokovic let out a yell and raised his fist to the fans in excitement. Djokovic, who is seeded to face Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals, surged ahead in the third set, hitting 11 winners to claim his 23rd victory of the year.

"I knew it was going to be a very difficult match, a very physical match. We played three hours for