Novak Djokovic was pushed by Valentin Royer, a French player who is 15 years younger than him, on Wednesday at the French Open. Djokovic gained the win after reaching the third round of the match, continuing for more than three hours.
The temperature of Paris eventually increased with the due course of time, rising above 32 degrees Celsius. The heat wave left Djokovic exhausted, which made him place ice packs on his neck and atop his head to keep himself cool.
Taking to Business Standard, Djokovic said, "It was a very, very difficult match in difficult conditions."
"A big challenge for me. ... Experience helped me a lot," he added.
Djokovic's performance amid the Paris heat wave
On Wednesday at the Court Philippe-Chatrier, Djokovic gained his victory after 3 hours and 44 minutes, which could have been done earlier if he had not missed the chance to end the match during the third-set tiebreaker. He celebrated his win by holding his racket as a violin and acting as if he were playing it.
Djokovic appeared at the Roland Garros with questions regarding his form at the Italian Open after sustaining a right shoulder injury for two months and also getting defeated by Croatian player Dino Prizmic.
Djokovic swiftly answered the questions raised against him by beating Mpetshi Perricard in the first round match of the tournament, which lasted nearly 3 hours.
Speaking to Business Standard, during an on-court interview, Djokovic stated, "Hopefully I won't face another Frenchman until the end of the tournament."
"Oh my God, I've had enough," he laughed.
Djokovic is set to face either Joao Fonseca or Prizmic in his upcoming matches. This would be the Serbian's second time meeting Prizmic after the Italian Open at Rome.
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Ukraine hauls with major points.*
The Ukrainian players this year are advancing with a full-form strategy and consistency. Ukrainian player Yuliia Starodubtseva beats Elena Rybakina, the winner of this year's Australian Open, in three sets.
The Ukrainian players Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk are also in great form to advance in the French Open. Svitolina defeats Kaitlin Quevedo by 6-0, 6-4 to keep the unbeaten streak at eight matches. Whereas Kostyuk beat Katie Volynets by 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3, being unbeaten after 13 matches.
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Iga Swiatek sets record at Roland Garros
Iga Swiatek, the 4-time champion, builds up her record at Roland Garros by defeating Sara Bejlek by a set of 6-2, 6-3. She is set to face Magda Linette in her next match, making it the first all-Polish meeting of Roland Garros since 1968. The Roland Garros is staged with many exhilarating matches throughout the tournament, with the majors in the upcoming days.
