For almost the first two hours against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday night, Novak Djokovic bent, but didn’t break.
Literally.
Down a set against the big-serving Frenchman, Djokovic was increasingly frustrated. One of the best returners of serve, if not the best, in tennis history, just couldn’t find the answers.
After not having a break point against Mpetshi Perricard’s massive delivery in the opening set – with a break of serve by the home favorite at 5-5 helping him become the first French player to win a set against Djokovic in Paris in 14 years – Djokovic was 0-for-9 after nearly 12 completed games in the second set.
Emphasis on the nearly. After Mpetshi Perricard saved three set points in the final game with aces, he couldn’t see off a fourth. Djokovic returned the serve on that key point, and won a 17-shot rally to, finally, equal the scoreboard.