Djokovic overcomes blister, advances at French

PARIS -- Novak Djokovic dealt with a blister connected his large near toed that required a aesculapian timeout successful the 3rd set, past was 1 constituent from being forced to a fourth, earlier closing retired a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1) triumph implicit Corentin Moutet astatine the French Open connected Thursday.

"With him, anything's possible," Djokovic said. "But I managed to find the close shots to enactment successful the match."

The effect enactment Djokovic successful the 3rd circular astatine Roland-Garros for the grounds 20th clip - not adjacent Rafael Nadal managed that.

Two much wins, and Djokovic volition get to the tournament's quarterfinals for the 16th consecutive year. In 2024, though, helium withdrew earlier playing successful that circular aft tearing the meniscus successful his close genu during the 4th circular and needing surgery.

Djokovic has won 3 of his men's-record 24 Grand Slam titles successful Paris.

Against the left-handed Moutet, a Frenchman, Djokovic got breached successful the opening crippled astatine Court Suzanne-Lenglen, and the assemblage roared. But soon enough, Djokovic was successful control. It wasn't until 2-all successful the 3rd acceptable that immoderate occupation arose.

Djokovic, who went connected a nighttime bicycle thrust successful the halfway of Paris connected Wednesday, slid into a forehand and held up, past hopped with each of his value connected his close foot. He stepped gingerly to the sideline and requested a sojourn from a trainer, who treated and taped the problematic large toe.

Soon, Moutet was mean-mugging toward his entourage successful the stands aft breaking to pb 4-2 successful the third. Djokovic would interruption close back, but again faced a hard spot portion down 6-5 and facing a acceptable constituent arsenic the locals sang Moutet's past name.

But Moutet netted a backhand passing shot, and erstwhile they got to a tiebreaker, Djokovic was simply excessively good.

That hasn't been the lawsuit arsenic often arsenic accustomed this season, which has included a brace of three-match losing streaks for the 38-year-old from Serbia.

But Djokovic ended his latest rut by winning his 100th vocation rubric astatine the Geneva Open earlier arriving astatine Roland-Garros.

"Before past week's tourney successful Geneva, I didn't consciousness assured successful my game. But it's mean to consciousness that way, due to the fact that I hadn't won capable matches," Djokovic said. "I'm similar immoderate different subordinate successful that respect. I've had to enactment hard to win."