Novak Djokovic Avoids Cerúndolo Upset Bid at 2024 French Open, Excites Tennis Fans
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJune 3, 2024
Mateo Villalba/Getty Images
For the second straight round, Novak Djokovic had to dig deep in order to stave off an upset bid at the 2024 French Open.
The three-time champion beat No. 23 seed Francisco Cerúndolo 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, making history in the process.
Roland-Garros @rolandgarrosNovak leaves another 𝒽𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓁 mark ✍️
Djokovic clinches a record-breaking 370 Grand Slam match wins.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/LGipnLYGSn
Some might have written off Djokovic’s five-setter against 30th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in the third round as a bit of an aberration. It certainly looked early on Monday like that was the case when he breezed past Cerúndolo in the first set.
But the 25-year-old Argentine showed he was more than game. He finished with 68 winners as he overwhelmed Djokovic with his forehand.
Roland-Garros @rolandgarrosEarning an applause from Novak 👍#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/AZR6bEtMGv
One point helped to seal Cerúndolo’s fate, though. He was unable to capitalize on a break-point opportunity with the fourth set deadlocked at five games apiece. You have to finish the job whenever you have a legend such as Djokovic on the ropes.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner managed to hold serve, and the momentum shifted for good when he went on to claim the set.
Danny 🐊 @DjokovicFan_Against all odds, Novak Djokovic has won set 4 and we’re going the distance.
Never, ever count this man out.
Absolute legend.pic.twitter.com/9fuH2aluxZ
José Morgado @josemorgadoDjokovic in *total* control now. pic.twitter.com/uxBxXkQlFq
It was another reminder of how Djokovic seemingly needs a level of adversity before he fully dials in mentally.
Bastien Fachan @BastienFachanNovak Djokovic under pressure, a visual representation: pic.twitter.com/vD1u7RARSH
Mardy Fish @MardyFish”Oh, you thought you were going to win? That’s cute”
– Novak Djokovic
Dodikan #Tennis @DogukandilberNovak Djokovic pic.twitter.com/xdF7XR2TcL
Scott Barclay @BarclayCard18Taking everything into account, I do believe that Novak Djokovic really is the greatest athlete of all time.
Ben Rothenberg @BenRothenbergI never presume Djokovic is about to lose a best-of-five match until he’s down match point and it looks like his final shot is headed out or into the net.
Even then, maybe premature.
Ryan Glasspiegel @sportsrapportMount Rushmore of male athletes in my lifetime: Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, Novak Djokovic.
Yousef @ymanna3Novak Djokovic is the greatest athlete to ever set foot on this earth.
Patrick Daugherty @RotoPatI would ask Novak Djokovic to simply straight-set me instead of putting my entire family through hell
Gill Gross 🏜️ @Gill_GrossThe best ever at figuring out a way. Tension is the enemy of 99% of tennis players, but it’s Novak Djokovic’s best friend. What a super power.
Won 12 out of his last 13 five-setters.
Already defied logic of what’s possible physically at 37, but it’s only the quarterfinals.
Pavvy G @pavygI’ve never ever doubted Djokovic in a match, I’ve watched him too long to know that he can turn around even the most impossible of situations around. When he was 4-2 down and 1-2 down in sets and couldn’t even run to shots I thought he was well and truly done.
Even I’m in shock!
Jon Wertheim @jon_wertheimDeath. Taxes. Djokovic persistence…to a fifth set, we go… #rolandgarros
You do wonder whether the mileage will start to add up for the 37-year-old at Roland-Garros, though. Monday’s victory required shaking off a leg injury of some sort in the second set, and the road won’t get any easier from here.
Djokovic will get either No. 12 Taylor Fritz or No. 7 Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, and a date with fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev could await in the semifinals if he gets that far.
Ruud bested Djokovic earlier this year in Monte Carlo after losing their first five head-to-head meetings. Fritz is 0-9 all-time but did push Djoker hard in the Australian Open quarterfinals when they faced off in January.
