Novak Djokovic had to win an extremely weird match in Paris.

In the third round, the Serbian was leading Diego Schwartzman 4-1 in the first set in a very comfortable way to suddenly lose his range and the opener (5-7). After the world no.2 won the second set it seemed as the Argentine was doomed, but then Diego conquered the 3rd set to complicate things again for his opponent. From that moment, Djokovic took over, and he brushed aside Schwartzman in the last two sets. The final score was 5-7 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-1. The match ended 3 hours and 18 minutes.

The standing ovation

Soon after the match, Diego received a standing ovation for showing once again his amazing combative attitude. The Argentine commented

“It took me a while to notice because I was packing my stuff. I could see that everyone was clapping and that Djoko was clapping and looking my way. Then finally I understood, and I thought, ‘Okay, get your kit in the bag and try to enjoy the moment.’ It’s a truly extraordinary thing. I think people who haven’t experienced it directly cannot even imagine how wonderful it is. It’s going to be a great memory.”

Happy to have played a five setter. DJOKOVIC

Nole tried to see the good of been challenged so early in the tournament  to comment

“Sometimes you need to be challenged in order for certain things to surface, which maybe are not surfacing if you’re winning comfortably. That’s going to happen more as I go deeper in the tournament because the matches and opponents are going to get tougher.

I didn’t play too many five-setters the past couple of years. I see a lot of good things in it. I think it will put me in a good place mentally as well.”

Next vs. Ramos-Vinolas

Nole will play Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the 4^th round. The head to head -3-0 for the Serbian. 7-0 in terms of sets.