Novak Djokovic breaks Roger Federer’s record to reach the quarter-finals of Roland-Garros 2024

Novak Djokovic defeated Argentine tennis player Francisco Cerundolo in a five-set marathon encounter by 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 in the fourth round of the French Open 2024 to advance to the quarters final of Roland Garros. Monday. The reigning champion, chasing his 25th Grand Slam title, overtook Roger Federer to claim his 370th major tournament victory and also advance to the round of 16, a record 59th time in his career.

Metric	Novak Djokovic	Francisco Cerundolo
Ace	6	3
Double faults	2	2
% of first service	67%	65%
Win % on 1st serve	69%	61%
Win % on the 2nd serve	52%	65%
Decisive game won	0	0
Receipt of points earned	56	68
Points earned	171	158
Games won	27	22
Max games won in a row	5	5
Max points earned in a row	6	5
Service Points Earned	115	90
Service games won	21	18

“I was maybe three or four points away from losing that match. How did I find a way to win again? I don’t know. The only explanation I have is you. Thank you,” Djokovic admitted after the match, bouncing back. with victories in the last two tight sets to advance to the round of 16 of the Grand Slam on clay.

As it happened

With temperatures in Paris topping 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) after a tournament filled with cooler temperatures and lots of rain, Djokovic vs. Cerundolo was played with the retractable roof of Court Philippe Chatrier open. The azure sky was finally visible.

Djokovic’s comeback began in earnest at 4-3 in the fourth period, when he hit a winner to earn a break point – not to mention roars from the stands – and converted when Cerundolo scored a shot. Djokovic shook his racket above his head and a chant of his two-syllable nickname rang out: “No-le!” No!

Now it was a match.

They traded breaks early in the fifth, but from 3 up, Djokovic asserted himself and took a 5-3 lead with a forehand winner that landed right on the baseline – so close to be eliminated as chair umpire Aurélie Tourte left the match. his perch to check.

Djokovic arrived in Paris with just a 14-6 record in 2024 and not even a single tournament final appearance, let alone a title. He said he felt like this: “Low expectations and high hopes.”

He lived on the edge during the first half of the French Open – his last two matches took 9 hours and 8 minutes spread over 10 sets – but no one has ever been as good as Djokovic at Grand Slam time.

(With AP inputs)