Earlier this year, Novak Djokovic lost three consecutive matches for the first time since 2007. The former World No. 1 even dropped outside the Top 20 of the ATP Rankings this month for the first time since 2 October 2006 as he continues his comeback from a right elbow injury.
But none of that has mattered at Roland Garros. Djokovic, who is seeded his lowest at a Grand Slam since the 2006 US Open, at No. 20, looks to have regained his confidence, as he battled past No. 13 seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(4), 6-2 in three hours, 48 minutes on Friday.
By reaching the Round of 16 on the Parisian terre battue, the 2016 champion has now advanced to the fourth round at the majors 43 times, tying Jimmy Connors for second in the Open Era behind Roger Federer (60). The 31-year-old may also benefit from an upset earlier in the day as his next opponent, No. 30 seed Fernando Verdasco, beat reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets.
Djokovic significantly lifted his level at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, his final event before the clay-court Grand Slam. There, the Serbian reached the semi-finals before showing perhaps his best form of the season in a tight two-set loss against Rafael Nadal. He would need the confidence from that run and his two straight-set triumphs to begin his campaign in Paris against a veteran in Bautista Agut who had an endless reserve of motivation.
The Spaniard’s mother suddenly passed away on 21 May, and he was clearly battling for her as he recovered an early break in the second set and saved three set points later on before evening the match at a set apiece. But while Djokovic visibly showed his frustration at letting slip his opportunities, he locked in when it mattered most, showing the steely determination that has helped him to 68 tour-level titles.
It was a match of execution between Djokovic and Bautista Agut. Neither player controlled the match for an extended period of time, or lost their level for more than a few games until the fourth set. It was a point-by-point battle, with both players attempting to neutralise the other’s offences to work their way toward the baseline. Interestingly enough, the Spaniard was content to stay in crosscourt backhand-to-backhand rallies with Djokovic, who perhaps has the best two-handed backhand of his generation.
Throughout much of the match, Djokovic's use of the backhand drop shot was to no avail. But in the fourth set, the Serbian was far more crisp, tiring the Spaniard out, moving him from side to side, and bringing him to the net with much better drop shots, which allowed him to dictate play. And while he gave back one of his two breaks, the Serbian closed it out with a third break in the set, earned with a clean overhead winner.
Djokovic leads his next Spanish opponent, Verdasco, 10-4 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, including victories in their past five meetings, although they are knotted 3-3 on clay.
Did You Know?
Novak Djokovic has won more matches in Rome and at Roland Garros (7), than he did in his first six events of the season (6).
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