PARIS: Defending champion Novak Djokovic fought back to overcome 22-year-old Italian Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in a third-round match to seal his place at the pre-quarterfinals on Saturday.
The match lasted 4 1/2 hours and did not conclude until Sunday after 3 a.m., the latest finish in tournament history.
It was Djokovic’s 369th win at a Grand Slam tournament. He tied Roger Federer for the most in tennis history.
“I was in real trouble and credit to Lorenzo for making me uncomfortable on the court and playing some really amazing tennis. Very high level. At one point, I didn’t know, really, what to do,” the 37-year-old Djokovic said. “It didn’t feel great playing him that third set and the beginning of the fourth.”
Djokovic can break the mark on Monday, when he’ll face No. 23 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.
