Djokovic digs deep to get past Fokina

In his third-round match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Novak Djokovic served six double faults--one to gift a break and two to hand break opportunities, won a meagre 16 out of 40 points on second serve and delivered 27 winners, seven fewer than his opponent.

Not Novak-like numbers in the third round of a Grand Slam, even though the world No.3 defeated the Spaniard 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-2 to advance to the fourth round of this French Open.

For the 22-time Major champion who is often workmanlike in his performances in the first week of a Slam, the first three rounds in Paris this year haven't quite been a breeze. It's a sign of his current form and physical shape - Djokovic took a medical timeout after the second set on Friday-as also of the stiff challenge that awaits the Serb ahead in a tough draw.

Against the world No.34 Fokina who had made the 2021 French Open quarter-finals by upsetting Casper Ruud, Djokovic struggled for rhythm in hist serves and consistency in his game for much of the first two sets that went on for more than two hours.