Tennis – Djokovic Battles Back to Overcome Perricard in Paris Opener

Tennis – Novak Djokovic began his French Open campaign with a hard-fought comeback victory after overcoming a strong challenge from home player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening round at Roland Garros.

Novak Djokovic secured his place in the second round of the French Open after defeating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets on Sunday in Paris. The Serbian star recovered from an early setback to claim a 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 victory in a match that tested his experience and composure on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Historic Milestone for Djokovic

The 24-time Grand Slam champion entered the tournament with another major achievement already to his name. This year marked Djokovic’s 82nd main-draw appearance at a Grand Slam event, setting a new record in the Open Era. He moved ahead of Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez, with whom he previously shared the milestone.

The victory also improved Djokovic’s impressive record in Grand Slam opening matches to 80 wins and only two defeats. His last first-round loss at a major tournament came nearly two decades ago at the 2006 Australian Open.

Tough Resistance from the French Challenger

Despite the final scoreline, the contest was far from straightforward for Djokovic in the early stages. Mpetshi Perricard, backed by the Paris crowd, relied heavily on his powerful serve and aggressive play to trouble the Serbian veteran throughout the first set.

The French player earned the crucial break at 5-5 before serving out the opening set. In doing so, he became the first Frenchman in 14 years to take a set from Djokovic at Roland Garros.

Djokovic struggled to create opportunities against Perricard’s booming delivery. Through much of the second set, the Serbian failed to convert several break-point chances and showed visible frustration as the match became increasingly tense.

Momentum Changes in the Second Set

The turning point finally arrived late in the second set. Djokovic pushed Perricard under pressure during a critical service game at 5-6. Although the Frenchman initially saved multiple set points with a series of powerful aces, he could not escape on the fourth opportunity.

A long rally eventually decided the crucial moment. Djokovic used a well-placed drop shot to force Perricard forward before the French player narrowly missed his forehand attempt. That point allowed Djokovic to level the match and completely shift the momentum in his favour.

Once the Serbian regained control, his level improved significantly. He dominated the third set with sharp returns and consistent baseline play, while Perricard struggled to maintain the intensity that had troubled Djokovic earlier in the contest.

Focus Turns to the Next Round

Djokovic eventually closed out the match after two hours and 51 minutes, extending his flawless record against French opponents at Roland Garros. The Serbian now holds a perfect 13-0 record against French players at the tournament.

He also remains unbeaten in opening-round matches at the French Open, continuing one of the most remarkable records in the competition’s history.

Djokovic will next face Valentin Royer as he continues his pursuit of another Roland Garros title. With several younger contenders in the draw, the former world number one will be aiming to build momentum quickly as the tournament progresses in Paris.