French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic comes from behind to beat Francisco Cerundolo - latest reaction
The French Open fourth round continues as Novak Djokovic needed five sets to overcome Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo following his 3am finish on Saturday night.
It took five sets and four hours and 39 minutes of tennis, but the world number one has booked his place in the quarter-finals. There was a moment of concern in the third set when Djokovic sustained a knee injury that needed two rounds of treatment and conversations with the doctor. But he rallied, and came from behind to battle his way back into the match and win the match on his serve.
The 37-year-old Djokovic battled past Lorenzo Musetti in the latest finish in French Open history to keep his hopes of winning a 25th grand slam title alive. The World No 1 now takes on Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo after fellow players, including Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, criticised the scheduling of the tournament and warned Djokovic’s late-night epic was “not healthy”.
Elsewhere today, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina marched into the quarter-finals with straight-sets wins. Rybakina first defeated Elina Svitolina in the opening match on Philippe-Chatrier before Sabalanka thrashed the American Emma Navarro.
There was a shock over on Court Suzanne-Lenglen as Alex de Minaur recovered from a set down to defeat the fifth seed Daniil Medvedev, reaching his first French Open quarter-final. The Australian will play the winner of the night session, headlined by the meeting of German fourth seed Alexander Zverev and the 21-year-old star Holger Rune.
Follow live updates and the latest scores from the French Open below
French Open LIVE: Latest tennis scores and results from Roland Garros
French Open into second week as fourth round continues at Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic dramatically beats Francisco Cerundolo in five sets
Impressive Elena Rybakina beats Elina Svitolina in opening match on Philippe-Chatrier
Aryna Sabalenka marches past Emma Navarro for seventh grand slam QF in a row
Alex de Minaur comes back to thrash Daniil Medvedev and reach first French Open QF
Alexander Zverev 4-6 6-1 5-7 Holger Rune
22:58 , Sonia Twigg
Rune went 2-0 up in the third, but Zverev fought back, and there was all to play for at 4-4.
Rune broke again, to take the set 7-5.
Alexander Zverev 4-6 6-1 Holger Rune
22:12 , Sonia Twigg
Rune might have won the first, but number four seed Zverev dominated the second.
The Norwegian managed to win just one game in the second set, in a match that threatens to finish late in the evening, just two days after Djokovic finished at 3am.
Alexander Zverez 4-6 Holger Rune
22:10 , Sonia Twigg
Zverev lost the first set against Rune in the evening match on Philippe Chatrier in the fourth round.
The duo are fighting it out for a place in the quarter-final.
Novak Djokovic limps to quarter-finals after longest French Open match of career
20:26 , Sonia Twigg
Novak Djokovic limped into the quarter-finals of the French Open after defying a knee injury to come through the longest Roland Garros match of his career.
The defending champion defeated Francisco Cerundolo – in another five-setter – 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 in four hours and 39 minutes.
World number one Djokovic blamed the slippery court for the injury he appeared to sustain at the start of the second set.
Novak Djokovic limps to quarter-finals after longest French Open match of career
Djokovic wins the match in five sets.
19:57 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic: “I want to say a big thank you because once again like the last match the win is for you and helped by you because the last match I was two sets to one down, and at the fourth set 2-2 you gave me so much energy, so really thank you, what can I say, I was maybe four points away from losing this match but Fransisco played with so much quality, well done.
“He deserves this applause that’s for sure, the words after winning today, I don’t know, but thank you for the support.”
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 Francisco Cerundolo - Djokovic wins the match
19:51 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic takes one step closer to winning the match with a Cerundolo return that bounces out. His second return hits the net, and the world number one is just two points away from another quarter-final.
This time Cerundolo is equal to Djokovic’s drop shot, carves out his opportunity and plays a passing shot to make it 30-15.
A backhand return goes into the net, Djokovic is just one point away. He uses his hands to get the crowd on their feet and behind him.
It’s match point.
Djokovic wins the match after four hours and 39 minutes!
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 5-3 Francisco Cerundolo
19:46 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic could win the match on this serve.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 5-3 Francisco Cerundolo - BREAK
19:46 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo is in the same vein of form in his service game, taking a 30-0 lead. It becomes 40-0, with a fortunate bounce off the net.
Djokovic pulls a point back with one that just catches the line. Cerundolo misses one as Djokovic covers an unbelievable amount of ground, and it’s 40-30.
Djokovic wins another point with a well-timed drop shot and it’s deuce, a great response from the Argentinian gives him the advantage.
But a centimetre-perfect drop shot from Djokovic makes it a second deuce. Cerundolo fires a backhand wide, and Djokovic has what could be a key break point.
Djokovic has broken! Could that be the match?
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 4-3 Francisco Cerundolo
19:37 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo’s shot goes long and Djokovic has the first point of his fourth service game of the fifth set.
Djokovic almost does the splits to make that shot here, that was an incredible effort to make the low volley. He smiles as he gets up after a quick swimming mime with his stomach on the clay.
A stunning effort forehand down the line and Djokovic goes 40-0 up, and he holds it to love, the first love-hold of the set.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 3-3 Francisco Cerundolo
19:33 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic takes the first point, but it’s level again the next.
Cerundolo is running Djokovic around, there’s a big grunt as he can’t get to one and it’s 30-30.
The Argentinian has to use his second serve but the return goes long, and he needs just one more to take the game.
Djokovic misses a drop shot, and it’s level again! This is turning into an epic contest.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 3-2 Francisco Cerundolo
19:28 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo takes the first point in Djokovic’s game, but he pulls it back to 15-15.
Djokovic wrong-footed again, he slides a bit, Cerundolo’s mammoth forehand just puts him into the lead 15-30. But his next attempted winner is wayward, and it’s all square.
But the Serbian goes ahead at 40-30, and he takes the game, with one that comes off Cerundolo’s racket.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 2-2 Francisco Cerundolo
19:22 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic has come back and takes the first point of Cerundolo’s service game. It’s 15-15, but Djokovic is on the court on his knees and he looks uncomfortable.
He is wearing the clay all over, but it looks like he just got caught up. And he’s ranting to the umpire about how slippery it is.
Cerundolo is dictating this game now, and takes a 40-15 lead, he holds!
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 2-1 Francisco Cerundolo - BREAK
19:17 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic looks a completely different player now, four hours in and he takes the first point of this game too.
He is playing Cerundolo all around the court and looking the player he was a few years ago. It’s hard to believe he had a match that finished at 3am just days ago.
In this game, Cerundolo shows he is not out here yet, coming back at 30-30, and he takes it to deuce.
Cerundolo manufactures a break point, could this be his way back into the match? He takes it, there’s a big fist pump and that could be massive!
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 2-0 Francisco Cerundolo - BREAK
19:10 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic takes the first point in Cerundolo’s service, and follows it up with another. The Argentinian really needs a hold in this to avoid slipping behind in the game.
It’s 0-40, Djokovic is hitting all the lines, and he has three break points. Cerundolo saves the first, but can’t save another, and the Serbian breaks.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 1-0 Francisco Cerundolo
19:06 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic serves at the start of the fifth set, but Cerundolo takes the first point, but he comes out with a stunning backhand right off the clay to win the point.
He eases to a 40-15 lead, and takes the game 40-30.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 Francisco Cerundolo - SET
18:59 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo sends a cross-court backhand just into the tramlines, and Djokovic has a fourth set point in this game.
Cerundolo cannot save another, he hits the ball into the net and Djokovic takes the set.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 6-5* Francisco Cerundolo
18:58 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo hits the ball into the net and Djokovic has the first point in this potentially set-deciding game.
After an extensive rally, it’s Djokovic who fist-pumps the air, and Cerundolo who faces a battle to get back in his own service game at 0-30.
Djokovic does hit the ball into the net and it’s 15-30, but Cerundolo makes an error, a forehand goes long and Djokovic has two set points.
A shot into the tramlines makes it 30-40, Djokovic manages to get a return out of nowhere, but he can’t follow it up. A good comeback from Cerundolo, 40-40.
A kick-serve, and Cerundolo has the advantage, but a lob goes long and it’s a second deuce. The Argentinian misses a forehand winner, it goes into the net, and Djokovic has a third set point.
This is turning into a tense game within a game now, Cerundolo saves the set point.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 6-5 Francisco Cerundolo
18:49 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo wins the first point of Djokovic’s service match, but he sends a forehand long and it’s 15-15.
Djokovic misses a first serve and Cerundolo pounces to go ahead at 30-15. Another chance on the second serve, but the world number one pounces with great cross-court movement to set up a winner.
Djokovic has missed all his first serves this game and it hands Cerundolo a chance, and a break point.
It’s his 17th break point of the match, but on that occasion Djokovic does get his first serve in, and takes the game to deuce.
Djokovic takes the advantage when a Cerundolo forehand goes into the net, and a stunning forehand gives the Serbian the game.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 5-5 Francisco Cerundolo
18:41 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo takes the first point in his service match, and quickly follows it up to make it 30-0.
A shot from Djokovic goes long, and Cerundolo follows it up with a passing shot to hold the game to love.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 5-4 Francisco Cerundolo
18:38 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic takes the first point on his serve, and a chance to go ahead in the fourth set, having been a break behind. He serves fluently and follows it up with a volley to go 30-0 ahead.
He did take some painkillers about 30 minutes ago, and they seem to be having an effect. Djokovic makes it 40-0 with ease, he’s opening up areas of the court and looking more and more comfortable.
Cerundolo doesn’t make it as easy as it could be, and shows he’s not out of this game yet with a winning backhand down the line.
Djokovic does take the game, and instead of serving for the match, Cerundolo will be serving to stay in this set.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 4-4 Francisco Cerundolo - BREAK
18:34 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo takes the first point in his service game. Djokovic has not lost before the quarter-final stage of this competition for 15 years.
Cerundolo hits one wide and it’s level at 15-15, but he regains the advantage and looks in control. He takes a moment to try and relax, but it doesn’t work and he double-faults to make it level again.
Djokovic has break point with a backhand down the line, he raises his hands for the crowd to get behind him, and they respond.
Cerundolo hits the ball into the net and Djokovic breaks back! He’s back in this set!
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 3-4 Francisco Cerundolo
18:30 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo chooses to go cross-court where Djokovic was, rather than the vacant down the line option and it backfires, 15-0.
Djokovic makes it 40-0, but Cerundolo hits a passing shot to get a point back in the game.
Djokovic holds to 15, and it all falls on Cerundolo to focus over the break and take what could be a decisive lead.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 2-4 Francisco Cerundolo
18:26 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo takes the first point at 15-0, but Djokovic fights back to level. Since the 5th game of the third set, Cerundolo has not had deuce on his own serve.
A second successive high lob from Djokovic falls out, and Cerundolo has a 30-15 lead, he also scrapes it back to go 40-15 ahead after an impressive forehand.
He takes it to 15, and is just two service games away from what could be a historic victory for the Argentinian.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 2-3 Francisco Cerundolo - BREAK
18:21 , Sonia Twigg
So far this set has gone with the service game, and Djokovic goes 30-0 ahead in this game as well. He has served well throughout this match, despite not moving around the court as well as he would have liked.
Cerundolo pulls it back to 30-30 however, but his attempted cross-court forehand goes into the tramlines. But this one will not be as straightforward for him, and the game goes to deuce.
A well-timed lob, and it’s break point for Cerundolo, and that will be the break! A massive game in this match.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 2-2 Francisco Cerundolo
18:15 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo takes the first point of his service game, as a Djokovic forehand goes long, and he makes it 30-0 with a well-timed drop shot that the Serbian can’t return in the court.
Djokovic stumbles on the wrong foot, Cerundolo moves to 40-15, with his opponent leaning on his racket at the other end of the court.
He takes the game with an ace.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 2-1 Francisco Cerundolo
18:11 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic takes the first point of his second service game in this set, before quickly extending his lead to 30-0. However, he is not looking entirely comfortable.
Djokovic is coming back into this with seven points in a row on his serve, before Cerundolo can score at 40-15.
He stays in front with a relatively straightforward hold.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 1-1 Francisco Cerundolo
18:07 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo is playing really well, and manipulates Djokovic around the court to open a volleyed chance that he takes to go 15-0 up.
Djokovic leaps to one and hits the winner, he has got the crowd on his side here, but the big-serving Cerundolo restores his advantage, before extending it with an almost perfect drop-shot.
The Serbian pulls it back to 40-30, but Cerundolo holds and Djokovic has his head down, hands on knees looking dejected at the floor.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 1-0 Francisco Cerundolo
18:04 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic serves at the start of set four, have those painkillers kicked in enough for him to mount a comeback? Cerundolo misses a chance at a winning volley to hand the Serbian the first point of the set.
Djokovic does hold and it’s more comfortable than he has looked recently.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 Francisco Cerundolo - SET
17:59 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic has his trainer and doctor back on the court and there’s just a discussion going on. He seems to be taking some painkillers, and has a desire to continue in this match.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-6 Francisco Cerundolo - SET
17:56 , Sonia Twigg
Here’s Cerundolo, serving for the set, and Djokovic takes the first point, but a serve and volley makes it level.
It’s worth remembering Cerundolo has never reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, while Djokovic has endless experience, and another stunning open forehand finds the perfect angle to make it 30-15.
A long forehand, a surprise error from Djokovic, hands Cerundolo set point...and he takes it with a big serve that the Serbian hits into the net.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 3-5 Francisco Cerundolo
17:53 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic starts on the back foot in this must-win game, although a fourth ace for the match makes it 15-15.
However, this time he stays strong, and makes it 40-15 before winning the set when Cerundolo cannot get his return in the court.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 2-5 Francisco Cerundolo
17:49 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo quickly takes a 30-0 lead on his service game, and then takes it to 40-15 with a winning forehand follow up from a high-speed serve
Cerundolo takes it 40-15 and every one of his service games is so much quicker than Djokovic’s at the moment.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 2-4 Francisco Cerundolo
17:46 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic goes ahead on his service game with a strong forehand, but the advantage is quickly reduced with a clever dropshot from Cerundolo.
He might not be moving as well as he was at the start of the match, but a couple of well-placed drop shots puts Djokovic ahead at 30-15, but a stunning forehand makes it level again. It was a beautiful hard-hit down the line forehand. That was Cerundolo’s 36th winner.
Another Djokovic service game goes to deuce, but this time he does hold without an extensive battle.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 1-4 Francisco Cerundolo
17:39 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo moves onto game point with a stunning forehand down the line that Djokovic didn’t even move for.
He then wrapped up the game the next point after an impressive first serve, there is a long way to go for Djokovic to find a way back into this set.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 1-3 Francisco Cerundolo
17:36 , Sonia Twigg
Djokovic loses the first point on his serve and this is a really worrying moment in the match for the pre-tournament favourite.
At 15-all, he tries a big serve that just goes out, and Cerundolo has the luck, going ahead in the game with a lucky bounce off the net that Djokovic can’t reach.
But another chance is missed, Cerundolo had an opportunity to go ahead at 40-15, but his unforced error saw the ball go straight into the net.
Cerundolo does get a break point at 30-40, but he cannot capitalise. Djokovic has four advantages, more unforced errors force a fifth deuce, but he finally gets the hold.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 0-3 Francisco Cerundolo
17:24 , Sonia Twigg
Cerundolo is in a bit of a run of form here, he takes a 30-15 lead when Djokovic’s return goes beyond the baseline. Could that knee injury be plaguing the world number one?
He takes a 40-15 lead with a cross-court backhand that the Serbian can only watch, and takes the game when Djokovic hits it straight into the net.
That’s five games in a row for Cerundolo...
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 0-2 Francisco Cerundolo - BREAK
17:21 , Sonia Twigg
The mistakes that Djokovic was making towards the end of the second set have crept into this one and a strong forehand gives Cerundolo a 30-15 advantage.
However, that is quickly scuppered by the Serbian who gains an advantage with a strong serve and follow up that cannot be controlled.
Cerundolo tries a drop shot, but it’s not good enough and Djokovic goes ahead. But he comes back into it and has an advantage after deuce following an overhit forehand from the world number one.
He takes the chance and breaks Djokovic for a second time in a row, this is a key part in the match!
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 0-1 Francisco Cerundolo
17:16 , Jamie Braidwood
Cerundolo holds up his hands after catching the net cord on the volley. The Argentine will have the advantage of serving first here - and hasn’t faced real pressure on serve since the opening set, which feels a long time ago now.
Sonia Twigg will take you throught the rest of the action.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-7 Francisco Cerundolo - SET
17:09 , Jamie Braidwood
WOW. Cerundolo had been pushing for the break all set. Then, at the 13th attempt, he gets one to take the second set. After a wayward forehand, Djokovic saved the first behind a serve-and-volley. On the second, Cerundolo was able to work his way into the rally. Finally, Djokovic blinked and drifted wide.
A long 75-minute set finally goes the way of the Argentine. Djokovic, after finishing his third-round match at 3am on Saturday night and calling the trainer earlier for a right knee injury, looks to be going the distance here. We’ve almost played two hours already.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-6 Francisco Cerundolo
17:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Cerundolo gets through to the tiebreak, at least, and does so with a love-hold. Djokovic vents to his box in between points and looks particularly unhappy with a backhand error that landed halfway up the net.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-5 Francisco Cerundolo
16:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Djokovic holds serve to 15 and without facing a break point. It feels like he is through the worst of his physical issues and the struggles he was facing. Now can he put pressure on the Cerundolo serve before we reach a tiebreak?
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 4-5 Francisco Cerundolo
16:54 , Jamie Braidwood
Djokovic shoots a lingering stare at his box as Cerundolo quickly wraps up his latest service game - Djokovic has been holding serve in six, seven or even eight minutes. Cerundolo has been taking two or three.
Djokovic does not get any treatment during this changeover. He is moving better.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 4-4 Francisco Cerundolo
16:50 , Jamie Braidwood
For the third game in a row, Francisco Cerundolo gets break point against the Djokovic serve. And for the third game in a row, Djokovic saves to hold. That’s 10 break point opportunities for the Argentine without taking one, as Djokovic tickles a drop shot over the net to get to 4-4 in the second.
A backhand error from Cerundolo on 30-40 was a missed opportunity. Djokovic is starting to move a bit looser now as well.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 3-4 Francisco Cerundolo
16:43 , Jamie Braidwood
Cerundolo, by contrast, is ticking through his service games pretty quickly. He holds as Djokovic stretches on the backhand side and then almost collapses after it as it strikes the net.
At the changeover, the trainer returns to work on Djokovic’s leg. Meanwhile, the tournament supervisor has been summoned. Djokovic is complaining about the court and claims he has hurt his knee because of loose clay on the surface. He is unhappy that they have not been swept in between games. Djokovic’s request is rejected - the courts are only swept between sets.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 3-3 Francisco Cerundolo
16:37 , Jamie Braidwood
Djokovic holds another epic game. More break points saved, with Djokovic winning the game behind a backhand winner down the line. He is holding on. Just.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 2-3 Francisco Cerundolo
16:32 , Jamie Braidwood
More break points for Djokovic to face, as Cerundolo beats the defending champion with the drop shot. There’s no chance Djokovic was making that.
Djokovic saves with another big serve, which is his biggest weapon right now. Djokovic then moves pretty well to reach another Cerundolo drop shot, but can’t keep this is play.
ACE down the middle. Seventh break point saved. But Cerundolo keeps asking the questions: a huge forehand beats Djokovic before he can take up a step.
Another chance: Djokovic goes for the serve and volley, but doesn’t do enough with the volley. Chance for Cerundolo... OUT! He couldn’t steer that volley down the line.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 2-3 Francisco Cerundolo
16:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Djokovic fires wide on the backhand as Cerundolo holds serve, with the 37-year-old taking heavy, stuttering steps as he continues to stretch out that right leg on his walk back to his chair on Chatrier.
The trainer is back out during the changeover, and is now rubbing Djokovic’s leg while twisting his knee area.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 2-2 Francisco Cerundolo
16:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Cerundolo surely has to just keep the ball in play and make Djokovic move around here. The Argentine, though, misses a forehand on 30-30.
Djokovic is taking his time - winner from Cerundolo! Onto deuce. This time Djokovic goes long on the backhand!
Break point: Djokovic goes to the serve and volley, looking to keep the point short, he saves it.
Still limping, Djokovic nets on the backhand. Another break point chance for Cerundolo, Djokovic finds the ace!
All things considered, that’s a very impressive hold from Djokovic. He finds another big serve out wide, and survives.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 1-2 Francisco Cerundolo
16:10 , Jamie Braidwood
Can Djokovic continue here? He’s back on his feet. There is a long way to go in this match.
It looks like he will give it a go. The cap is on and he has his racquet in his hand.
After seven minutes, we’re back underway.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 1-2 Francisco Cerundolo
16:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Djokovic has now called the trainer and is taking an injury timeout.
The defending champion is on his back as the trainer works at the right leg.
Remember that Djokovic finished his third-round match at 3am on Saturday night - barely a day and a half ago.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 1-2 Francisco Cerundolo
16:06 , Jamie Braidwood
At 40-0 down, Djokovic stops Cerundolo before his serve and looks to be cramping up behind the baseline. The 37-year-old holds up his hand to Cerundolo and then stretches out his right leg after making his way over to the chair.
Something is up. Djokovic does not look happy and is kicking out that right leg.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 Francisco Cerundolo - SET!
15:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Was this the game to show that Cerundolo missed an opportunity in this opening set? From 40-15 and with two set points, Djokovic played two poor drop shots in succession and Cerundolo took advantage after easily reaching them.
The Argentine then had two chances to earn a break back - Djokovic saving the second with a forehand winner down the line. Djokovic then finally wraps up a long game with a serve-and-volley!
That wasn’t easy, but Djokovic drags himself through. The scoreline tells a different story.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 5-1 Francisco Cerundolo - BREAK!
15:40 , Jamie Braidwood
There’s the double-break. Cerundolo has not settled here and Djokovic picks off a poor drop shot from the Argentine to put away the sliding volley. Djokovic has been stretching his neck and grumbling, but he is in a very comfortable position in this opening set.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 3-1 Francisco Cerundolo - BREAK!
15:32 , Jamie Braidwood
Djokovic breaks the Cerundolo serve - not that you could tell by his reaction. Djokovic is irritated as he looks up to his box, with Cerundolo gifting that game away behind a couple of unforced errors at crucial moments.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 2-1 Francisco Cerundolo
15:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Nervy moments early on for Djokovic as he has to save two break points from Cerundolo, with the Argentine having a decent look at the forehand down the line on the second.
Djokovic takes his seat at the changeover and immediately starts to stretch out his neck. The 37-year-old wasn’t looking too comfortable there.
French Open: GAME, SET AND MATCH!
15:21 , Jamie Braidwood
Alex de Minaur 4-6 6-2 6-1 6-3 Daniil Medvedev
A double fault from Daniil Medvedev on match point rather sums up his day, but the celebrations from Alex de Minaur shows how big a win this is for the Australian! That was thoroughly deserved. Medvedev collapsed after winning the opening set but De Minaur was superb, committing to an attacking game that pulled Medvedev apart. The fifth seed is out, and De Minaur reaches his first French Open quarter-final!
The 25-year-old has never reached a grand slam semi-final but will face either Alexander Zverev or Holger Rune for a place in the final four.
French Open: Novak Djokovic 1-1 Francisco Cerundolo
15:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Djokovic is moving well enough but slumps a backhand into the net on 30-30 before Cerundolo meets a forehand winner to get his opening hold... meanwhile it’s match point on Suzanne-Lenglen...
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-6 1-6 3-4 Alex de Minaur - BREAK!
15:13 , Jamie Braidwood
Huge moment on Suzanne-Lenglen as De Minaur edges ahead 4-3 in the fourth set, earning the crucial break against Medvedev! The Australian is two games away from the biggest win of his career at the grand slams.
Make that 5-3. A rapid hold to love from De Minaur as he bursts to reach a Medvedev volley. One game away.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Francisco Cerundolo
15:04 , Jamie Braidwood
This is the first time Djokovic has faced Cerundolo, who has a career high ranking of 19 and had his best result of the year against Alexander Zverev in the fourth round of Madrid, winning in straight sets. The Argentine is looking to make it through to the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time. Djokovic is looking to reach a 15th consecutive French Open quarter-final, meanwhile, which is so wild. If he wins today, he’ll reach a record 59th grand slam quarter-final, which would overtake Roger Federer.
The players are now making their way out on court.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Francisco Cerundolo
15:01 , Jamie Braidwood
The big question today is how Novak Djokovic will have recovered from his 3am finish on Saturday night. As players such as Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff explained yesterday, Djokovic would not have got to back until 6 or 7 in the morning after his five-set epic.
And quick wins for Rybakina and Sabalenka today mean the 37-year-old is back on time the afternoon today. How’s that body clock doing ahead of the 3pm start?
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-6 1-6 1-1 Alex de Minaur - BREAK!
14:54 , Jamie Braidwood
Medvedev digs in on the baseline and breaks back! Resilience from the former US Open champion to stop the slide and finally find some momentum against the De Minaur game. Could that be a turning point?
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-6 1-6 0-1 Alex de Minaur - BREAK!
14:49 , Jamie Braidwood
Incredible. Medvedvev’s slide continues as De Minaur keeps his foot down following the restart. On break point, De Minaur jumps into the backhand attack and Medvedev can’t keep his lob in play. The fifth seed shrugs his shoulders.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-6 1-6 Alex de Minaur - SET!
14:39 , Jamie Braidwood
And there’s the set, wrapped up by De Minaur in a blink as Medvedev chucks his return long.
Medvedev heads straight off court and needs to regroup if he is to stay in the French Open.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-6 1-5 Alex de Minaur - BREAK!
14:37 , Jamie Braidwood
This is quite the unravelling from Medvedev, who has a love-hate relationship with clay and there are no prizes for guessing what it is today.
De Minaur breaks for the third time this set after jumping to 0-40 and is crushing his forehand onto the lines. Medvedev is grimacing between points.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-6 1-4 Alex de Minaur
14:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Medvedev stops De Minaur’s run at seven games in a row, as the fifth seed continues to vent at his coach Gilles Cervara. De Minaur, meanwhile, is playing so confidently. This would be a huge win for the Australian, who only has one win against a top-10 player at the grand slams. That was against Kei Nishikori at the 2019 US Open.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-6 0-2 Alex de Minaur - BREAK
14:22 , Jamie Braidwood
Now it’s six games in row for De Minaur, as the Australian breaks to lead the third set! A combination of clean hitting and a string of forehand winners from the 11th seed and errors from Medvedev means this is one-way traffic at the moment.
Medvedev is starting to get agitated and his letting it out at his box.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-6 Alex de Minaur - SET
14:12 , Jamie Braidwood
A big turnaround on Suzanne-Lenglen as Alex de Minaur wins four games in a row to claim the second set against Daniil Medvedev! Back-to-back missed forehands from the fifth seed see De Minaur takes the set with his second break, in what was an improved display from the Australian.
He has certainly cut down on the unforced errors and could have won that set even if Medvedev was fully fit - but the Russian has not won a game since having those blisters taped up during the medical timeout earlier on.
All square.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-4 Alex de Minaur - BREAK!
13:57 , Jamie Braidwood
A breakthrough for De Minaur as Medvedev nets on the drop shot from just inside the baseline! It’s advantage to the Australian in the second set, with Medvedev losing serve for the first time after having the bottom of his feet taped during a medical timeout.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-3 Alex de Minaur
13:47 , Jamie Braidwood
De Minaur looks up for the scrap as he holds serve with confidence after pushing for the break against Medvedev’s. The Russian takes his time to walk to his chair and calls the trainer - looks like he is dealing with some blisters no his foot, as he takes both shoes off after reaching his seat.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 1-2 Alex de Minaur
13:35 , Jamie Braidwood
A lively start to the second set with a bunch of entertaining rallies to delight the crowd on Suzanne-Lenglen, with De Minaur holding serve with a lovely, spinny dropshot. Medvedev takes a long look at the line before moving on.
French Open: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 Alex de Minaur - SET!
13:22 , Jamie Braidwood
Medvedev hangs on to convert the single break and claim the first set against De Minaur on Suzanne-Lenglen.
The Australian had a chance to break back but Medvedev was solid from the baseline and drew too many errors from his opponent.
It looked pretty even overall, though, but the fifth seed was just that bit more clinical to take the lead in this last-16 clash.
French Open LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 6-3 Emma Navarro
12:53 , Jamie Braidwood
GAME, SET AND MATCH!
Sealed with a thumping forehand winner and the break of serve, Aryna Sabalenka marches into her seventh grand slam quarter-final in a row with a comprehensive 6-2 6-3 win over the American Emma Navarro.
That did not deel in doubt from the opening exchanges, with Sabalenka still yet to drop a set this tournament, or spend that much time on court.
Today’s victory was sealed in 68 minutes, while Sabalenka’s earns revenge for a defeat to Navarro in Indian Wells earlier this season.
“I’m super happy with the level I played with today to get through this tough match,” Sabalenka beams.
The World No 2 looks hard to stop on this form, as a potential semi-final against Elena Rybakina looms.
French Open LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 4-3 Emma Navarro
12:43 , Jamie Braidwood
Navarro manages to delay Sabalenka’s progress as she saves two break points. The American hasn’t got close to Sabalenka’s serve today though as we pass the hour mark.
French Open LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 2-1 Emma Navarro
12:24 , Jamie Braidwood
Sabalenka gets the early break at the start of the second set as she crushes a backhand winner crosscourt.
It’s very hard to see how Navarro gets back into this and Sabalenka is closing in on an eighth set in a row this tournament.
French Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Alex de Minaur
12:21 , Jamie Braidwood
There’s a cracker of a match coming up on Suzanne-Lenglen as fourth seed Daniil Medvedev takes on Aussie Alex de Minaur for a place in the quarters. This is their ninth career meeting, and second at the grand slams after Medvedev’s four-set win at the US Open last-16.
This is their first match on clay, however, which is hardly either player’s ideal surface.
French Open LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 Emma Navarro - SET!
12:12 , Jamie Braidwood
Advantage Sabalenka as the second seed breezes through the opening set against Navarro 6-2, sealed with a drop shot from midcourt to cap a solid 30 minutes of work.
Meanwhile, Italian No 1 Jasmine Paolini continues her strong 2024 season after reaching the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time in her career.
Paolini recovered from a slow start to defeat Elina Avanesyan 4-6 6-0 6-1 and will face Rybakina in the last eight.
French Open LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka 5-1 Emma Navarro
12:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Navarro gets on the board but Sabalenka is in complete control up two breaks in the opening set, as she looks to follow Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina in cruising through to the quater-finals of the French Open.
It appears as if there is a very good chance the top four seeds all progress to the semi-finals.
French Open LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka 2-0 Emma Navarro
11:52 , Jamie Braidwood
The winner of Sabalenka’s match against Navarro will face an unseeded opponent in the quarter-finals.
The 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva could set up a fascinating clash against Sabalenka if she gets through the French player Varvara Gracheva today, however.
Andreeva is a rising star and battled past former grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka in a three-set match that lasted over two and a half hours in the second round, before easing past Peyton Stearns.
Rybakina, who cruised through earlier, will take on either Jasmine Paolini or Elina Avanesyan. The Italian 12th seed Paolini has the break of serve in the deciding third set.
French Open LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka 2-0 Emma Navarro
11:44 , Jamie Braidwood
Sabalenka is yet to drop a set during her French Open campaign, which continues now against the American 22nd Emma Navarro on Philippe-Chatrier.
And the two-time Australian Open champion makes a flying start - breaking Navarro to love in the opening game of the match.
Navarro has reached the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time, while Sabalenka is on a run of reaching at least the semi-finals in six grand slams in a row.
She looks a good bet to make that seven this month.
French Open LIVE: Elina Svitolina 4-6 3-6 Elena Rybakina
11:20 , Jamie Braidwood
GAME, SET AND MATCH!
A very impressive win for Elena Rybakina, who dismisses Elina Svitolina in straight sets to reach the French Open quarter-finals for the second time.
French Open LIVE: Elina Svitolina 4-6 2-4 Elena Rybakina
11:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Svitolina hangs on as a thumping forehand winner earns a break to love to stay alive in the second set. The Ukraine star requires another breka to get back level, but it’s a start.
French Open LIVE: Elina Svitolina 4-6 0-2 Elena Rybakina
10:54 , Jamie Braidwood
Rybakina is in complete control now as the fourth seed takes the opening break at the start of the second set - with Svitolina so far unable to find an answer to Rybakina’s approach or net play.
French Open LIVE: Elina Svitolina 4-6 Elena Rybakina - SET!
10:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Impressive from Rybakina as she saves a break point from Svitolina before going on to serve out a 6-4 opening set on Chatrier. Svitolina is unlikely to go away quitely, and will serve first as the second set begins.
French Open LIVE: Elina Svitolina 2-4 Elena Rybakina
10:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Svitolina responded well to earn the immediate break back, but Rybakina has settled and claims the second break of the opening set as she adds a thumping serve and forehand to her variety from the baseline early on.
The fourth seed is looking strong through the first 20 minutes.
French Open LIVE: Elina Svitolina 0-1 Elena Rybakina
10:14 , Jamie Braidwood
The sparse crowd on Philippe-Chatrier suggest many fans at the French Open may still be getting out of bed as we get underway at 11am local time. An opening break goes Rybakina’s way, with the drop shot proving useful early on.
French Open LIVE: Elina Svitolina vs Elena Rybakina
10:04 , Jamie Braidwood
The roof is open on Philippe-Chatrier and there are blue skies overhead as the day’s schedule begins with an intriguing clash between Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina.
The former Wimbledon champion and fourth seed Rybakina is expected to go far in Paris but Svitolina, a quarter-finalist at Roland Garros last year, will be her toughest test yet.
The players last met in the opening round of the Olympics in 2021, with Svitolina winning in three sets on her way to claiming the bronze medal in Tokyo.
Carlos Alcaraz happy with French Open progress
09:49 , Jamie Braidwood
Carlos Alcaraz believes his French Open campaign is getting better and better after cruising past Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach the quarter-finals, where he will face Stefanos Tsitsipas tomorrow.
Alcaraz had questions over his form and fitness after arriving at Roland Garros with a right forearm injury, but thrashed Auger-Aliassime 6-3 6-3 6-1.
“I think I played a high level of tennis. Really focused. No ups and downs. I’m happy with everything. My serve, my shots, my movement on the court,” he said.
“I think the most important thing is for me to believe in myself. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have too many matches on my back or that I didn’t come with a lot of rhythm.
“I just believe in myself with my team. We put in really good work every day before coming here and every day here. After every practice and every match I was getting better and better.
“Here on Court Philippe Chatrier it’s easy to play... the history this court and this tournament has, it’s better to play and get to 100%.”
Iga Swiatek breezes into quarter-finals with fastest win of career
09:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Iga Swiatek had a double bagel for breakfast in Paris, trouncing Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open, writes Andy Sims.
Swiatek did her part as she took just 40 minutes, one of the shortest matches in Roland Garros history, to dispatch the Russian.
She hit just two unforced errors to Potapova’s 19 and won 94 per cent of points on her first serve. Out of the 58 points played in the match, 23-year-old Potapova won just 10.
“I was just really focused, in the zone and not really looking at the score, and yeah it went pretty quickly, pretty weird,” said Swiatek.
“Because we played really early with the open roof it’s always a bit different but it’s still not too warm. It doesn’t feel like summer in Europe but we’ll see what it’s going to be like in two days.”
Jannik Sinner overcomes slow start to ease past Corentin Moutet
09:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Second seed Jannik Sinner shook off a sluggish start and blazed into the French Open quarter-finals last night with a 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-1 victory over local hope Corentin Moutet that kept his world number one dreams alive.
Australian Open champion Sinner was in a spot of bother in front of partisan fans on Court Philippe Chatrier as the off-colour 22-year-old went 5-0 down in 23 minutes, but he managed to get on the board and avoid an embarrassing bagel.
“It was very tough for me. I think he played very well in the first set,” said Sinner.
“I had some chances, but he played much better than me, so I had to adjust a little bit. He had an amazing run here at Roland Garros. The atmosphere as always was amazing.
“He plays differently to most of my opponents, so it was tough for me. He is also a lefty. You don’t play so many times against left-handers, so I’m happy to be in the next round.”
Reuters
Novak Djokovic diplomatic on late matches as Coco Gauff calls them ‘not healthy’
09:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Novak Djokovic admitted his late-night finish at the French Open “could have been handled differently” while Coco Gauff branded playing into the early hours “not healthy”.
Djokovic endured the latest finish in Roland Garros history as he beat Lorenzo Musetti in five sets to reach the fourth round, with the last ball struck at 3.08am local time.
“I don’t want to get into it,” said the defending champion. “I have my opinions but I think there are great things to talk about as we are talking about this match and both Lorenzo’s and my performance stands out.
“I don’t want to be talking about schedule. I think some things could’ve been handled differently. But there’s beauty, as well, winning the match at 3.30am if it’s the last one of the tournament.
“But it’s not so I’m going to have to switch on all of my young genes and try and recover as quick as possible.”
Is the French Open on TV? Where to watch
09:20 , Jamie Braidwood
You can watch the French Open live on Discovery+ and Eurosport in the UK. The action will be broadcast on Eurosport’s TV channels, or fans can tune into Discovery+ to stream the tournament, where an Entertainment & Sport pass is available for either £6.99/month or £59.99/year.
Watch every moment of Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App
French Open: Today’s order of play
09:19 , Jamie Braidwood
Philippe Chatrier
From 10:00am
(15) Elina Svitolina (Ukr) v (4) Elena Rybakina (Kaz)
(22) Emma Navarro (USA) v (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr)
(1) Novak Djokovic (Ser) v (23) Francisco Cerundolo (Arg)
(4) Alexander Zverev (Ger) v (13) Holger Rune (Den)
Suzanne Lenglen
From 10:00am
Elina Avanesyan (Rus) v (12) Jasmine Paolini (Ita)
(11) Alex De Minaur (Aus) v (5) Daniil Medvedev (Rus)
Varvara Gracheva (Fra) v Mirra Andreeva (Rus)
(12) Taylor Fritz (USA) v (7) Casper Ruud (Nor)
Good morning
09:17 , Jamie Braidwood
The French Open fourth round continues as Novak Djokovic returns to action following his 3am finish on Saturday night.
The 37-year-old Djokovic battled past Lorenzo Musetti in the latest finish in French Open history to keep his hopes of winning a 25th grand slam title alive. The World No 1 now takes on Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo after fellow players, including Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, criticised the scheduling of the tournament and warned Djokovic’s late-night epic was “not healthy”.
Elsewhere today, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are in action as they look to reach the quarter-finals. Rybakina takes on Elina Svitolina in the opening match on Philippe-Chatrier before Sabelanka faces the American Emma Navarro. Djokovic then returns against Cerundolo before the night session is headlined by the meeting of German fourth seed Alexander Zverev and the 21-year-old star Holger Rune.
Follow live updates and the latest scores from the French Open in today’s live blog
