Top 5 matches where Djokovic was taken to five-sets at the French Open
Novak Djokovic made history at the French Open in 2021 when he became the first man in the Open Era to complete a double career Grand Slam.
Out of his 17 appearances at Roland-Garros, he has made it to the quarterfinals or better on 15 occasions. The Serb has a 84% win-rate at the French Open, making him the third most successful player in the event after Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg.
Djokovic enters the 2022 French Open on the back of his 38th Masters 1000 title at the Rome Masters. On clay, he has the fourth best win-rate (80.3%) after Nadal, Borg, and Ivan Lendl. However, among players with at least 200 match wins on outdoor clay courts, his win rate (84.2%) is second only to Nadal (84.9%).
When it comes to deciding-set matches at the Slams, the Serb has been a mental giant. Over the course of his career, he has won 33 of the 42 matches that have gone to five sets at the Slams.
At Roland-Garros, he has played 11 completed five-set matches. The Serb was victorious in eight of those matches. Let's take a look at five matches where he was stretched to five sets at the French Open.
#1 2010 Quarterfinals vs Jurgen Melzer
Seeded third at the 2010 French Open, Djokovic made the quarterfinals, dropping two sets en route. He faced 22nd seed Jurgen Melzer in the last eight. The Serb had won their previous two meetings, but this was their first meeting on clay.
Djokovic took the first two sets 6-3, 6-2, and it looked as if he would wrap up the match in straight sets. But after 4 hours and 15 minutes, it was Melzer who emerged as the victor. The Austrian blasted 59 winners (six more than his opponent) to come back from behind and win the match 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
Years later, in an interview with "Sky Sports Italia," Djokovic explained how the match was the most pivotal moment of his career.
"In 2010 I lost to Melzer in the quarterfinals of Roland-Garros. I cried after being knocked out. It was a bad moment, I wanted to quit tennis because all I saw was black. It was a transformation, because after that defeat I freed myself. I had won in Australia in 2008, I was number three in the world, but I wasn't happy. I knew I could do more, but I lost the most important matches against Federer and Nadal. From that moment I took the pressure off myself, I started playing more aggressively. That was the turning point."
To this date, it is the only match that the Serb has lost after being up 2-0.
#2 2012 Quarterfinals vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Djokovic were tied 5-5 in the head-to-head before their 2012 French Open quarterfinal meeting. The Serb was in prime condition that season, winning titles at the Australian Open and Miami Masters. He had defeated Tsonga in straight sets in their previous meeting in Rome a few weeks prior.
Tsonga was seeded fifth at the French Open and entered the quarterfinals after defeating Stan Wawrinka in five sets in the fourth round. Djokovic too had a marathon match against Andreas Seppi in the Round of 16. The Italian took the first two sets and was about to create a major upset. However, the Serb hustled his way through, and after 3 hours and 18 minutes, defeated Seppi 4-6, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.
Djokovic saved four match points against Tsonga at the 2012 French Open. They've played five times since. Tsonga has won zero sets
"Djokovic saved four match points against Tsonga at the 2012 French Open." - @ Nick Nemeroff
The top seed raced to a 6-1, 2-0 lead in 27 minutes. But the home favorite slowly began to turn the match in his favour. Tsonga broke back and eventually took the second set at 7-5. He claimed the third set by the same scoreline to take control of the match. But the contest took a new turn in the fourth set as Djokovic saved four match points to force a decider. He comfortably won the fifth set 6-1.
Here's what he had to say afterward:
"It was a great match. Unfortunately, there had to be one winner and one loser. He was the better player for most of the match. I was fortunate to come back from four match points. I don't know how I went through that. It was an incredible match," he was quoted to say after the match.
#3 2013 Semifinals vs Rafael Nadal
Being the top seed, Djokovic dropped only one set on his way to the semifinals at the 2013 Roland-Garros. He faced three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the semis. The duo put on a show for 4 hours and 37 minutes in a match often dubbed the greatest clay court encounter in the Open Era.
Djokovic, having won all three Slams at least once, needed only a French Open title to complete the career Slam. He was up against a player who was undefeated in the semifinals at Roland-Garros.
After splitting the first four sets, the Serb appeared to be cruising as he led by a double break in the fifth. But Nadal fought back strongly.
Toward the end of the match, the World No. 1 tumbled into the net after putting away a smash on a crucial point. It cost him the point and Nadal got the break thereafter. Djokovic's game crumbled after that and the Spaniard wrapped up the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 9-7.
"It's been an unbelievable match to be part of, but all I can feel now is disappointment. That's it. I congratulate him, because that's why he's a champion," said the Serb after the match.
#4 2019 Semifinals vs Dominic Thiem
In 2018, Marco Cecchinato ended Djokovic's dream of completing a double career Slam by defeating him in four sets in the quarterfinals of the French Open.
The following year, Djokovic attempted to complete a second non-calendar year Grand Slam.
The Serb reached the semifinals without dropping a set to set up a showdown with Dominic Thiem. The match between Thiem and Djokovic was often interrupted by strong winds and rain. It was played across two days.
By the end of the third set, Djokovic had piled up violations for time and unsportsmanlike conduct, with Thiem leading 2-1. The Serb managed to force a decider, but looked set for another defeat as Thiem led 4-1. But the match was halted yet again due to adverse weather conditions.
When the match resumed, the top seed seemed to gain control once again. He leveled the decider at 5-5. However, after some fierce exchanges toward the tail end of the set, Thiem emerged triumphant in 4 hours and 13 minutes.
Longest @DjokerNole Grand Slam Win Streaks
30 from 2015 @Wimbledon-2016 Wimbledon (l. to Sam Querrey in 3R)
27 from 2021 @AustralianOpen-Present
27 from 2011 Wimbledon-2012 @RolandGarros (l. to @RafaelNadal in F)
26 from 2018 Wimbledon-2019 Roland Garros (l. to @ThiemDomi in SF)
“I don't want to point out some reasons or find excuses for this loss. I mean, he took it, he won it, and well done to him. Credit to him. He just played the right shots and put me out of the comfortable position in the court, and then he could open up as he did in the match point and finish off with a forehand winner," said the Serb.
#5 2021 Final Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
A year later, after losing an epic five-set contest to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at Roland-Garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded fifth, set up another encounter with the Serb, this time in the final.
At the start of the match, the Serb's serve was nowhere up to the mark. The Greek took advantage of this and raced to a two-set lead.
But given the stage, Djokovic rediscovered himself. He forced Tsitsipas into longer rallies, trying to wear him down.
The 35-year old eventually won 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in 4 hours and 11 minutes to become the first man to complete a double career Slam.
“Probably ranks at the top three all‑time achievements and experiences that I had in my professional tennis career," said Djokovic after the match
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