World No. 34, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, had the two-time Roland-Garros winner, Djokovic, on the ropes in the first two sets, passing up a set point in the second. But having come through that test, Djokovic ran away with the third set to continue his quest towards a record 23rd major.
Novak Djokovic thrashed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 6-2 on Friday to progress to the fourth round of the French Open.
Djokovic, who is targeting to jump injured champion Rafa Nadal and win a record 23rd Grand Slam title, came into the match on Court Philippe Chatrier having lost to Davidovich Fokina the last time they met in Monte Carlo.
Eurosports reports the Serbian was forced to fight hard to stay in the first two sets, before completing the job in more comfortable style in the third.
Speaking after the match, Djokovic said: “I knew that it was going to be a difficult, physical match. We played three hours, only two sets. He contested well. He’s an amazing fighter and player and does not have many weaknesses in his game. Congratulations to him for fighting, and bad luck, but a great match.”
“Of course, a win is a win,” he added.
“Maybe the first two sets were [too long]. If I lost the second set, I’d have probably played for five hours today. But you have to be ready.
“That’s what Slams are all about, best of five. Playing on the slowest surface in sport. It takes a lot of effort but we have to believe in ourselves and try to make the most out of it. I’m proud of the performance today.”
Djokovic led the head-to-head 2-1 coming into their fourth meeting, but Davidovich Fokina had won their last match – and their only previous on clay – at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2022.
Furthermore, Davidovich had Djokovic seeking for answers during a difficult opening two sets. Nonetheless, Djokovic, a winner at Roland-Garros in 2016 and 2021, pursued.
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First, he broke as the Spaniard served for the first set and took that momentum into the tie-break, sealing the opener at the first opportunity.
Davidovich Fokina responded, fashioning a set point in the twelfth game of the second set. The Serbian world No. 3, rallied again however to take it to another tie-break. Again, in a showing of ruthless efficiency, the former world No. 1 took the first set point he fashioned.
When Djokovic broke the serve of his opponent early in the third, it looked like he would run away with the set and then match. However, Davidovich Fokina again made a fist of it; first holding and then fashioning a break opportunity, but was unable to convert.
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In addition, Djokovic, with a three-game cushion, was solid behind his serve and added a second break to seal his progression to the next round.
He will face either Juan Pablo Varillas or Hubert Hurkacz in the fourth round.
“A win is a win,” Djokovic gives props to Davidovich Fokina after tough match.
