PARIS: Novak Djokovic battled from behind to keep his dream of winning a 25th major crown at Roland Garros alive, while Alexander Zverev enjoyed a more comfortable first-round victory as the clay-court Grand Slam got underway on Sunday. Lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires for a fourth time would send the 39-year-old Djokovic clear as the player with the most major titles in the history of the sport. Djokovic&#39;s last Grand Slam title came at the US Open in 2023, and with double-defending Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz missing through injury, he knows this is a big chance to seal that elusive quarter century of crowns. But that dream looked in jeopardy in his opening match against the big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who was playing in front of a vocal home support in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier. The Serb had to deploy all of his expertise as a returner to finally find a way to break the 2.01-metre Mpetshi Perricard&#39;s serve as he fought back to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 in just under three hours on court. &quot;The match, it was very challenging, obviously mentally,&quot; Djokovic told reporters after making a record 82nd appearance at a major. &quot;First set, zero chance on him serving. It&#39;s one of the most tremendous serves in terms of precision and speed that I have ever faced in my career. &quot;Obviously, the crowd gets into it and you feel the pressure even more. All in all, it was a good match to be part of. &quot;Three hours, just what the doctor ordered at age 39.&quot; After struggling with a shoulder issue that caused him to miss the vast majority of the clay-court swing, Djokovic&#39;s victory over the former world number 29 was his first on the red dirt in 2026. He will meet another Frenchman in Valentin Royer in the second round after the world number 74 beat Bolivian qualifier Hugo Dellien. &#39;Thoughts to Ukraine&#39; Under a blazing sun earlier in the day, German second seed Zverev eased past France&#39;s Benjamin Bonzi 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The 29-year-old said it was &quot;always nice to start with a straight-sets win&quot;, and he will doubtless have been glad to spend as little time on court as possible with the thermometer going past 30C in the French capital. The only blip for Zverev in an otherwise polished performance was conceding a break of serve in the second frame against the world number 95 but he swiftly righted course to claim that frame. He will next face Czech Tomas Machac, who earlier beat Belgium&#39;s Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. Karen Khachanov of Russia also advanced into the second round with a straight-sets win over French wild card Arthur Gea. Czech 26th seed Jakub Mensik made similarly short work of another French invitee, Titouan Droguet, as the 20-year-old strolled through 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Brazilian 19-year-old Joao Fonseca put on a clinical display to see off hometown qualifier Luka Pavlovic without dropping a set. Taylor Fritz, the seventh seed, again suffered another early exit from Roland Garros as the American went down 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (9/11), 6-1 to his 148th-ranked compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy. Former French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova was another high-profile departee as the world number 41 was eliminated 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 by American 26th seed Hailey Baptiste. She was joined in exiting Roland Garros by fellow former major winners Emma Raducanu and Sofia Kenin. Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk earned her 12th consecutive win on clay as she eased past Oksana Selekhmeteva, who was born in Russia but obtained Spanish nationality four days ago, 6-2, 6-3. The Madrid Open champion then revealed that her family home in Kyiv was nearly struck by a Russian missile during a massive bombardment of the Ukrainian capital earlier on Sunday. &quot;This morning, 100 meters from my parents&#39; house, a missile fell,&quot; the 15th seed said. &quot;All my thoughts and all my heart was to the people of Ukraine today. My biggest example are Ukrainian people today.&quot; Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic opened play on Court Philippe Chatrier with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Austrian qualifier Sinja Kraus. Russian teenager and eighth seed Mirra Andreeva navigated her way past 181st-ranked Fiona Ferro of France in straight sets.

Tennis

Djokovic fights back from a set down to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a tough Roland Garros opener and keeps his chase for a 25th Grand Slam title alive.

Djokovic fights through tough Roland Garros opener, Zverev strolls

ROME: Novak Djokovic slumped to an early elimination from the Italian Open on Friday, crumbling to a second-round defeat at the hands of qualifier Dino Prizmic which leaves question marks about his physical condition ahead of Roland Garros.&nbsp;Tennis icon Djokovic was sent packing by big-hitting Croatian Prizmic, who claimed the biggest scalp of his young career with a stunning 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win on centre court in Rome.&nbsp;Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, was making his comeback from a shoulder injury in the last big tournament before the French Open, which starts later this month.&nbsp;And the world number four was unsure as to whether he would be back to his best for the clay-court Grand Slam, simply saying &quot;I hope so&quot; when asked by reporters whether Paris would see the all-conquering &quot;Nole&quot; of old.&nbsp;&quot;Let&#39;s see what happens,&quot; said Djokovic, who lamented persistent physical problems in the twilight of his stellar career.&nbsp;&quot;I don&#39;t recall the last time in the last couple of years of preparation where I didn&#39;t have any physical issues coming into a tournament,&quot; said Djokovic.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s always something, it&#39;s kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.&quot;&nbsp;Djokovic wore shoulder strappings in his first tournament since losing in the last 16 at Indian Wells in March, after pulling out of tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid.&nbsp;He hadn&#39;t previously been knocked out this early in a tournament since the Madrid Open last year, and he looked a long way from the player who has won six titles at the Foro Italico.&nbsp;He breezed into a one-set lead but then buckled under the weight of Prizmic&#39;s powerful hitting which has led to the 20-year-old rising to a career-high world ranking of 79.&nbsp;Prizmic has beaten two top 10 players in a matter of weeks with sixth-ranked Ben Shelton succumbing in the second round in Madrid last month.&nbsp;Djokovic is Prizmic&#39;s idol, and a landmark win gives the young talent a match with either Ugo Humbert or Vit Kopriva and a chance to make the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time.&nbsp;&quot;It was big moment for me. It was also big thing to share the court with a legend,&quot; said Prizmic.&nbsp;&quot;So yeah today, I mean, I played unbelievable. I&#39;m very happy about my performance.&quot;&nbsp;Zverev, Swiatek throughEarlier, Alexander Zverev eased into the third round after comfortably dealing with fellow German Daniel Altmaier in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.&nbsp;The second seed is in good form having reached the final in Madrid last weekend and he is again on the other side of the draw to red-hot favourite Jannik Sinner.&nbsp;The 29-year-old has been beaten by Sinner in four Masters 100 events this year and will have his work cut out if he is to add to his 2017 and 2024 titles in Rome.&nbsp;Three-time champion Iga Swiatek battled into the third round of the women&#39;s tournament with a 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 win over Caty McNally.&nbsp;Swiatek will play US 28th seed Emma Navarro or Italy&#39;s Elisabetta Cocciaretto this weekend for a place in the last 16, after a match which initially looked like being a routine win but dragged on for the best part of three hours.&nbsp;&quot;It was a tough match, Caty really played great,&quot; said Swiatek.&nbsp;&quot;I had to be patient. For sure, some mistakes happened. It was not an easy match. I&#39;m really happy I was solid at the end and in the important moments. I kept it together.&quot;&nbsp;Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has not won a clay tournament since capturing the last of her four French Open titles in 2024.&nbsp;The Pole suffered her earliest exit in five appearances in Madrid last month when she retired in the third round due to a viral illness.

Novak Djokovic crashed out of the Italian Open after a shock defeat to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, raising fitness concerns before Roland Garros, while Alexander Zverev and Iga Swiatek advanced in Rome.

Ailing Djokovic falls to early Italian Open exit ahead of Roland Garros

MELBOURNE: Carlos Alcaraz swept past Novak Djokovic to win his first <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/maria-beats-williams-in-golden-oldies-final-at-australian-open-warmup" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Australian Open</a> on Sunday and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, denying the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major. The Spaniard was imperious after a slow start in dismissing the 38-year-old, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena to claim a seventh Slam title and cement himself as undisputed world number one. He becomes the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding to his two titles each from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens. At 22, he surpassed legendary countryman Rafael Nadal -- in the crowd to witness the feat -- who was 24 when he did the same. A seventh Slam put him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl. &quot;Lifting the trophy for the first time in Australia was crazy,&quot; &nbsp;Alcaraz said, before writing on a TV camera lens: &quot;Job finished. Four out of four complete.&quot; He added: &quot;A dream come true. I dreamt about getting an Australian Open and completing the career Grand Slam.&quot; He paid tribute to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/djokovic-stuns-sinner-to-set-up-australian-open-final-with-alcaraz" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Djokovic</a>. &quot;You were talking about how I&#39;m doing the things I am, but what you&#39;re doing is really inspiring, not only for tennis players but athletes around the world.&quot; It was a first defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne final, having won all 10 previously, leaving him still searching for a landmark 25th major to better Australia&#39;s Margaret Court, who was also watching on centre court. Djokovic, striving to become the oldest man to lift a <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/djokovic-wins-record-400th-slam-match-to-power-on-in-australia" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grand Slam</a> singles trophy, last won one at the US Open in 2023. Since then Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated. &quot;I must be very honest and say that I didn&#39;t think I would be standing in the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam again, so I owe you the gratitude of pushing me forward in the last couple weeks,&quot; Djokovic said, speaking to the fans in the stadium. He went on to hint this could be his last time at Melbourne Park. &quot;God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, so it has been a great ride.&quot; He also joked with Nadal in the stands, saying: &quot;There are too many Spanish legends. I feel like I was one against two tonight. It&#39;s not fair.&quot; Fighting fatigue Both men battled through five long sets in their semi-finals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic with Sinner, and recovery was always going to be key. But they showed few signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest. They both opened with comfortable holds before Djokovic was presented with the first break point chance at 2-1. Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead. Djokovic was reading Alcaraz&#39;s serve well and once he got in the rallies was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner earning him two set points. He claimed the set in a statement 33 minutes, having dominated the big moments. It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz upped the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break point and held in the next game. Djokovic put drops in his eyes and began rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz, who broke again for 5-2. There were some sensational rallies that had the crowd on their feet in set three, which went with serve until Djokovic slapped a forehand wide under pressure to slip 2-3 behind. He gamely saved four set points at 3-5 but with his energy levels dropping was unable to save a fifth. On the back foot, Djokovic then saved six break points in an 11-minute opening service game in set four to stay alive. But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a famous win. It ensured he remained world number one and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/djokovic-stuns-sinner-to-set-up-australian-open-final-with-alcaraz" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sinner</a>&nbsp;two, with Djokovic moving up a place to three.

This handout picture released by Tennis Australia on February 2, 2026, shows Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the locker room after defeating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final on Day 15 of the Australi

He becomes the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding to his two titles each from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens.

Alcaraz sweeps past Djokovic to win 'dream' Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic stunned reigning champion Jannik Sinner early Saturday to set up a blockbuster Australian Open final with Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard survived a five-set clash of his own with Alexander Zverev.&nbsp;The 38-year-old Serbian great turned back the clock to keep alive his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown by upsetting the Italian 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gruelling 4hrs 9mins on Rod Laver Arena.&nbsp;World number one Alcaraz needed even longer to tame Zverev, spending a titanic 5hrs 27mins on court, overcoming cramping and a fifth-set deficit to win 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5.&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m lost for words right now, to be honest,&quot; said Djokovic, who dropped to his knees and was emotional when the match ended. &quot;It feels surreal.&quot;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/djokovic-wins-record-400th-slam-match-to-power-on-in-australia" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Djokovic</a>&nbsp;had lost his last five encounters with Sinner and thanked him for &quot;allowing me at least one win in the last couple of years&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;I have tremendous respect for him, he pushed me to the limit,&quot; he added.&nbsp;&quot;The level of intensity, and I guess the quality of tennis, was extremely high, and I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance to win tonight.&quot;&nbsp;The win propelled Djokovic into a 39th Grand Slam final and made him the oldest man in the Open era to reach the title match in Melbourne, where he has won 10 times.&nbsp;It will be his first finals appearance since Wimbledon in 2024.&nbsp;Djokovic has been trying to move past Margaret Court -- who was in the stadium watching -- and clinch a landmark 25th major since his last one at the US Open in 2023.&nbsp;It has proved increasingly difficult with the emergence of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have shared every Slam title since then.&nbsp;Hate giving upAgainst Zverev, Alcaraz only narrowly avoided crashing out after a huge fright at 4-4 in the third set when he pulled up in pain with what appeared to be cramp.&nbsp;He was allowed to have treatment at the changeover, leaving Zverev furious and angrily remonstrating with officials.&nbsp;Medical timeouts are not permitted solely for muscle cramping and Zverev made his feelings clear, swearing at officials.&nbsp;Alcaraz said afterwards he thought he might have hurt his right abductor and it was the physio who decided to have a timeout.&nbsp;The top seed played on with his movement hampered and he lost his first set of the tournament.&nbsp;But after swigging some pickle juice, he clawed back from a break down in the fifth set as the crowd roared their approval.&nbsp;&quot;I rank this one in the top position of one of the best matches that I have ever won,&quot; said Alcaraz, who is into his eighth major final.&nbsp;&quot;I just hate giving up,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;When I was younger there were a lot of matches that I just didn&#39;t want to fight anymore or just gave up. Then I just got mature, and I just hate that feeling after all.&quot;&nbsp;The 22-year-old Alcaraz has won two French Opens, two US Opens and twice at Wimbledon, but success on the blue Melbourne Park hard courts has eluded him in four previous campaigns.&nbsp;Should he snap the drought he would be the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, surpassing compatriot and legend Rafael Nadal, who was 24 when he did so.&nbsp;His efforts on Friday made him the youngest to reach the men&#39;s singles final at all four Slams.&nbsp;In other action, wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki became the first team to retain the Australian Open mixed-doubles title since 1988-89.&nbsp;They outlasted French pair Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard 4-6, 6-3, 10-8.&nbsp;

Novak Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner to reach the Australian Open final. Carlos Alcaraz also advanced after a tough five-set win over Alexander Zverev, setting up a final between Djokovic and Alcaraz.

Articles tagged with "Novak Djokovic"

Djokovic fights through tough Roland Garros opener, Zverev strolls

Ailing Djokovic falls to early Italian Open exit ahead of Roland Garros

Alcaraz sweeps past Djokovic to win 'dream' Australian Open

Djokovic stuns Sinner to set up Australian Open final with Alcaraz

Djokovic fights through tough Roland Garros opener, Zverev strolls