Novak Djokovic hits a return during the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
PARIS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Novak Djokovic battled through a gruelling five-set match to defeat Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the fourth round of the 2024 French Open on Monday, advancing to the quarterfinals for the 18th time at Roland Garros.
For the second time in three days, the Serbian fought back from a two-sets-to-one deficit and claimed the victory after an over four-and-a-half hours marathon.
It was Djokovic's 370th victory at a Grand Slam tournament, putting him clear of his great rival Roger Federer. The 37-year-old veteran proved once again that he excels like no other player when his back is against the wall as he improved to 40-11 in five-set matches, and 11-3 in five-setter at Roland Garros.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion also breaks the record for most Grand Slam quarterfinals appearances, passing Federer on that list as well, with 59.
"At one point I didn't know if I should continue," said Djokovic, who suffered a leg injury during the second set of the match.
The world No. 1 rolled through the opening set but a slip in the third game of the second led to him taking a medical timeout, and he repeatedly received treatment at subsequent changeovers.
"I started feeling the pain and asked for the physio treatment and the medical timeout and tried to take care of it. It did disrupt me definitely in play," Djokovic told the press conference.
The three-time Roland Garros winner then cast doubt over his bidding for another title on the clay major by admitting he needed anti-inflammatory medication to treat a knee injury on Tuesday.
"I don't know what will happen tomorrow or after tomorrow if I'll be able to step out on the court and play. You know, I hope so. Let's see what happens," said Djokovic.
The top seed is scheduled to face Casper Ruud in the next round, a rematch of last year's final.
"I guess we'll do some more screening and tests and checkups tomorrow, as well. We have done some with the doctor right now after the match. Some positive news but also some maybe concerns, so let's see tomorrow," Djokovic added.
In the night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, fouth-seeded Alexander Zverev also came out from a five-set thriller by beating No. 13 seed Holger Rune 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-2 in four hours and 11 minutes.
The German is through to the last eight in Paris for the fourth year in a row, and sixth time in the last seven years.
Now on a 10-match winning streak, the Rome Masters champion will play against No. 11 seed Alex de Minaur, who reached his first quarterfinals in Paris by dispatching Russia's 11th seed Danill Medvedev. ■
Novak Djokovic celebrates the victory after the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Francisco Cerundolo hits a return during the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
