Djokovic Defeats Royer at French Open

Novak Djokovic defeated home favorite Valentin Royer 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-3 in the second round of the French Open. The match lasted three hours and 44 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier. The 39-year-old third seed faced repeated crowd noise during points and between serves.

He showed visible frustration and, after saving a break point in the fourth set, placed a finger to his lips toward the stands.

Djokovic had earlier beaten Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 in the first round. That match lasted two hours and 51 minutes and marked his record 82nd Grand Slam appearance. Djokovic broke serve for the first time on his tenth opportunity to close the second set. He later performed a celebratory wiggle on the baseline after securing the win.

Djokovic will next face 19-year-old Joao Fonseca.

Fonseca advanced by rallying from two sets down to defeat Dino Prizmic 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. Djokovic extended his streak of reaching the third round at Roland Garros to 21 consecutive years and his winning record against French players to 30 matches.

“It's a very important victory. The conditions are difficult for players. ”

Djokovic said the heat made the conditions difficult and expressed relief at advancing after two matches that felt like two weeks of play.