Novak Djokovic was trailing and in trouble against Lorenzo Musetti as a shock result looked likely in the early hours on Sunday. He clicked into gear and produced some inspired tennis under duress, just as the Italian’s level dropped, and now the Serb is into the business end of another Major – where his steely defiance is magnified. A first H2H meeting with Francisco Cerundolo beckons.
Cerundolo backs up 2023 result – can he go one better?
Novak Djokovic [1] vs. Francisco Cerundolo [23]
French Open 2024, final set of fourth-round singles matchups – winner will play Taylor Fritz [12] or Casper Ruud [7] in quarterfinals on Wednesday
Scheduled not before 4pm local time in Monday’s day session
NOVAK Djokovic was downtrodden, looking morose and his player box subdued as a familiar situation played out before everyone’s eyes in the early hours on Sunday against Lorenzo Musetti. How could this be happening to the defending champion?
Having been two sets down to the Italian at this very Major three years ago, beaten by him in Monte-Carlo last year and enduring a patchy stretch of form this term, you could be forgiven for sounding the upset alarm bells as Djokovic’s gameplan looked predictable and his play passive – the 22-year-old charging to a 2-1 set lead.
Mark Woodforde on commentary suggested the Serb was potentially playing possum in preparation for amother five-set battle, but needed to get a move on.
Musetti’s serving had been consistent in being tricky for Novak to track all night, the new father’s backhand booming up the line with depth and precision too.
Perhaps he was playing his way into form against a youngster eager to break new ground at the Grand Slam he first experienced as a senior, but visuals were unsettling and the Chatrier crowd responded.
Having sprayed errors and missed openings a set prior, the world no. 1 reset at the start of the fourth, producing some brilliant points and breaking Musetti’s serve just as the Italian had a lead to protect.
This was going to be a late finish, that much was clear, but as both fatigued, who would outlast the other during their gruelling rallies?
Inspired by the crowd’s energy, some electric points and seeing Musetti’s level drop incrementally, it was the wily veteran who answered the call.
Djokovic played like a man possessed – some dodgy overheads aside – in the deciding set and soon enough, punched his ticket into week two of his 13th consecutive Major. All things considered, it was an inspired show.
He’s struggled to recapture his best form and won’t be here forever, but defiant late-night finishes like this remind us he won’t go quietly when the lights shine brightest. Instead, he’ll fight and claw to create doubt down the other end of the court.
Francisco Cerundolo awaits after recovering from a set down to best 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul in four earlier on Saturday, the Argentine playing with house money after defending his fourth-round ranking points from twelve months ago before a first-ever H2H meeting with Djokovic.
Another young hungry challenger looking for newfound success here, his exciting game has garnered fans aplenty across the globe and he’s not shy when it comes to upsetting the apple cart either.
Stats show both he and Paul racked up unforced errors over their four-set tussle (92 combined) and it goes without saying that a good start, holding serve and keeping Djokovic honest during their exchanges will serve him well here – as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (2023) and Musetti (2021) did in the past.
Executing with consistency though, for several hours without much of a performance dip, is the biggest question mark and unknown. How will he fare in the toughest test of his budding years on the ATP circuit, looking for a career-best scalp?
Picture source: Getty Images
Mo and Sports 