Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: Novak Djokovic survived a stern opening-round test at Roland Garros when he rallied to defeat Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 to book his place in the second round in Paris.
Making a record 82nd Grand Slam main draw appearance in the French capital this year, breaking a record he held jointly with Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez, Djokovic is now 80-2 in opening matches at the majors, and hasn't lost a first match at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
He is now 22-0 in opening matches on the terre battue, which is the most Roland-Garros first-round wins of any man without suffering a loss in the Open era. He also is now 13-0 against French players in Paris all-time.
The Serb will look to maintain his perfect Parisian record against Frenchmen when he plays Valentin Royer next.
Down a set against the big-serving Frenchman in their first career head-to-head meeting, Djokovic was increasingly frustrated.
After not having a break point against Perricard's massive delivery in the opening set - with a break by the home favourite at 5-5 helping him become the first French player to win a set against Djokovic in Paris in 14 years - Djokovic was zero-for-nine after nearly 12 completed games in the second set, French Open reports.
After Perricard saved three set points at 5-6 with aces, he couldn't see off a fourth. Djokovic returned the serve on that key point, and won a 17-shot rally to, finally, equal the scoreboard.
After not having a break point against Perricard's massive delivery in the opening set - with a break by the home favourite at 5-5 helping him become the first French player to win a set against Djokovic in Paris in 14 years - Djokovic was zero-for-nine after nearly 12 completed games in the second set, French Open reports.
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From there, the floodgates opened. Back on even footing, Djokovic broke three more times to extinguish the Mpetshi Perricard threat and move safely through to round two at Roland-Garros, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 in 2 hour 51 minute.