Djokovic Downs Mpetshi Perricard to Reach French Open Round Two

Djokovic keeps 25th Grand Slam bid alive with Roland Garros win  

The 24-time major champion overcame Mpetshi Perricard in four sets to reach round two at Roland Garros. A fourth French Open title would give him the all-time Grand Slam record.

After dropping the first set, Djokovic found his rhythm to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4. His first clay win of the season sets up a meeting with Valentin Royer...

Novak Djokovic fought back from a set down to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4. The win puts him through to the second round of the French Open on Sunday.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is chasing a fourth Roland Garros title. If he wins it, he will move ahead of Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in tennis history.

“The match, it was very challenging, obviously mentally,” Djokovic told reporters after making a record 82nd appearance at a major.

“First set, zero chance on him serving. It's one of the most tremendous serves in terms of precision and speed that I have ever faced in my career.

“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.

“Three hours, just what the doctor ordered at age 39.”

It was Djokovic’s first win on clay this season. He had skipped most of the clay-court swing because of a shoulder issue.

Djokovic created his first two break points in the sixth game of the second set but couldn’t convert. The 22-year-old held firm and kept the set level at 3-3.

As one of the best returners ever, Djokovic gradually worked out Mpetshi Perricard’s big serve. The 2.01-metre Frenchman’s delivery started to lose its sting, and Djokovic finally got the break he needed in the 12th game to take the set 7-5 and level the match.

Djokovic looked rusty early and gave up the first set. Mpetshi Perricard broke serve in the 11th game to get the Paris crowd going, then held comfortably to take it 7-5.

Novak Comes Through! 🙏@DjokerNole recovers from a set down to take out Mpetshi Perricard in Round 1 at #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/AdXciHPWVh

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 24, 2026

Both players traded breaks right at the start of the fourth set. After that, the match settled back into the same back-and-forth rhythm it had earlier.

Djokovic broke again to go 4-3 up, then held serve to close it out. The win sends him into the round of 64, where he’ll face another Frenchman, Valentin Royer.