Novak Djokovic outclasses Marton Fucsovics as Grand Slam record tilt continues at French Open

ByEurosport

Updated 31/05/2023 at 22:46 GMT

Novak Djokovic remains on course for a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title after advancing to the third round of the French Open with a straight-sets win over Marton Fucsovics. Djokovic was made to work for the first set but stormed his way to a two-set lead, and victory was sealed despite a late wobble in the third. Stream the 2023 French Open live on Eurosport and discovery+.

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Novak Djokovic is into round three of the French Open after a 7-6(2) 6-0 6-3 win over Marton Fucsovics in the night match on a windy Philippe-Chatrier.

The Serbian, a two-time champion at Roland-Garros, was made to stretch every sinew in a first set that lasted one hour and 27 minutes.

But after he had won that particular arm wrestle, it was plain sailing for the 22-time major winner, bagelling the Hungarian in set two and racing away with the match thereafter.

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Speaking on court afterwards, he said: "First set was very tough and I'm sure the crowd enjoyed it. The second and third were terrific. I was very happy with my game.

"I had problems to win it [the first set], all the players when on Chatrier want to play their best level. I was surprised at his level. I know him very well and he can play very well. I was very focused on what I had to do.

"Same preparation [for the next game]. A lot of wind to deal with. It was difficult to control the ball in this wind. You have to adjust your feet and everything you are doing all the time. But night sessions are very special."

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On a balmy night in the French capital, both players gave as good as they got early on despite the wind ratcheting up the difficulty of some of the shot-making.

It was Djokovic who stormed into a 4-1 and then 5-2 lead as he seemed to be making light work of his unseeded opponent.

But back Fucsovics came as 5-2 became 5-5, and then two holds resulted in a tie-break. Having done so well to fight his way back into the set, the Hungarian then sank to a 4-1 deficit in the breaker, which he never recovered from, eventually losing it 7-2.

If Djokovic was likely feeling relieved at coming through the opener, Fuscovics would've been despondent after seeing all his efforts come to nought, and it looked that way in set two as he was broken three times, with Djokovic taking it 6-0.

The two exchanged breaks at the start of the third as a close contest seemed to be resuming, but Djokovic landed a break, and then another to leave him 5-2 ahead and serving for the match.

But there was an unexpected late twist as Djokovic went break point down following a superb 'get' from the Hungarian, and then netted a forehand as the score went to 5-3 in the 36-year-old's favour - still one break up.

Fucsovics stuttered in his subsequent service game to go match point down - which he saved - but when Djokovic earned a second, the Serbian was able to convert it and secure his place in the third round for another year.