French Open 2024: Novak Djokovic pushed all the way but avoids Francisco Cerundolo upset

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Novak Djokovic once again has to go the distance but is through to the French Open quarter-finals after a dramatic comeback victory against Francisco Cerundolo.

At one point, the Serb, who finished his third-round match just after 3am on Sunday, looked down and out, but he rallied in style to earn a 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win after four hours and 39 minutes on Monday (June 3).

Djokovic looked fresh, cruising through the first set, but shortly into the second, he required treatment for what looked to be a knee problem.

The injury looked to be affecting him as Cerundolo responded well to going behind and stormed into a 2-1 lead after the third set.

Djokovic looked set to make an early exit when he found himself 2-4 down in the fourth, but he refused to surrender, breaking to drag it back to 4-4 before he forced a decider to level things up once more.

He was back to his best in the final set, easily seeing off the Argentinian to see up a meeting with Casper Ruud or Taylor Fritz in the next round.

Data Debrief: Making history

Djokovic continues to break records in his aim to win a record-extending 25th major crown and keep his world number one status. He has now reached the most quarter-finals in men's singles during the Open Era in Grand Slams (59), eclipsing Roger Federer's 58.

Not only that, but the 37-year-old has also recorded the most wins in Grand Slams during the Open Era (370).