Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and world number one, has advanced to the last 16 of the French Open after an intense four-hour and 29-minute battle against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. The match, which ended at 3:07 AM, set a new record for the latest finish in the tournament’s history. Djokovic secured a hard-fought victory with scores of 7:5, 6:7 (6-8), 2:6, 6:3, 6:0.
Chasing Grand Slam Glory
Despite not displaying his best form this season, the 37-year-old from Belgrade is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, which would extend his record. This victory against Musetti marked Djokovic’s 369th Grand Slam match win, tying Roger Federer’s record. It was their sixth encounter, with Djokovic now holding five wins over the Italian.
Weather and Scheduling Challenges
The late start of the match, beginning after 10:30 PM, was partly due to rain delays, which led to the organizers moving an additional match to the central court. The prolonged battle saw both players pushing their limits until Djokovic finally sealed the win in the early hours of the morning.
Looking Ahead
In the next round, Djokovic will face Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, seeded 23rd. With his world ranking at stake, Djokovic needs to reach the finals to maintain his top position, otherwise, Italian Jannik Sinner will take over as the new world number one.
