Djokovic Seals French Open Third Round Spot With Win Over Royer

Djokovic overcomes heat and crowd to advance at Roland Garros  

A four-set win over Royer sets up a third-round clash with Joao Fonseca or Dino Prizmic as Djokovic chases a record 24th French Open match win.

Djokovic called the win “in very difficult conditions” after dropping the third-set tie-break before sealing it in the fourth...

 

Novak Djokovic kept chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title with a four-set win over France’s Valentin Royer on Wednesday, booking his spot in the French Open third round.

Like in his opening match, the 39-year-old beat another home favorite at Roland Garros, defeating world No. 74 Royer 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 24-time major champion will next face either Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca or Croatia’s Dino Prizmic in the third round.

“Obviously the feelings on the court are different when you win,” Djokovic said. “It was a match in very difficult (weather) conditions.”

“I think Valentin merits a big round of applause for his performance today.”

“I hope I won't play any more French players for the rest of the tournament,” he added with a wry laugh.

Djokovic grabbed the key break in game six of the first set after seemingly anticipating Royer’s play. He slid over to the backhand side at the net in advance and finished with a volley winner, moments after looking caught out in the middle of the court.

The former world No. 1 set the tone early in the second set by breaking Royer right away to go in front.

Djokovic broke again to lead 4-1 and then served out the set, showing no signs of being affected by the heat or the Parisian crowd backing the home player.

Royer, who grew up about five kilometers from Roland Garros, gave the home fans something to cheer for when he broke back twice to level the third set at 3-3 and 4-4.

21 - Novak Djokovic has now reached the joint-most Rounds of 32 in a single Men's Singles Major in the Open Era (21 at Roland Garros level with Roger Federer at the Australian Open). Triumph. #RolandGarros | @rolandgarros @atptour pic.twitter.com/yhLaUAWf7K

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) May 27, 2026

He had the crowd on its feet when he came back from 3-0 down in the tie-break to force a fourth set.

Djokovic kicked off the set with a hard-fought hold of serve, looking a bit drained under the late afternoon sun as the match neared the three-hour mark.

Novak makes it to the third round ✊#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/nTOI2z7Ng0

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026

But the three-time French Open champion dug in and stayed in the contest. One stretched forehand hit from wide beyond the net post drew a smile from him, while Royer could only watch in disbelief as it skidded off the clay just inside the baseline.

  

That flash of brilliance seemed to lift Djokovic. He broke in the very next game to go 3-1 up, then served out the match to secure his place in the last 32.