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Djokovic solves riddle against Mpetshi Perricard

Three-time champion hits back to beat Frenchman 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4

Novak Djokovic / Premier tour - Roland-Garros 2026
©André Ferreira / FFT
 - Victoria Chiesa

For almost the first two hours against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday night, Novak Djokovic bent, but didn't break.

Literally.  

Down a set against the big-serving Frenchman in their first career head-to-head meeting, Djokovic was increasingly frustrated.

One of the best returners of serve, if not the best, in tennis history just couldn't find the answers to win one of the Frenchman's service games.

After not having a break point against Mpetshi Perricard's massive delivery in the opening set - with a break by the home favourite at 5-5 helping him become the first French player to win a set against Djokovic in Paris in 14 years - Djokovic was zero-for-nine after nearly 12 completed games in the second set. 

Emphasis on the nearly. After Mpetshi Perricard saved three set points at 5-6 with aces, he couldn't see off a fourth. Djokovic returned the serve on that key point, and won a 17-shot rally to, finally, equal the scoreboard.

He opened the point up with a delicate drop shot, and though the 6ft 7in Mpetshi Perricard raced forward admirably to retrieve it, he fired his forehand passing attempt just wide to lose the game.

From there, the floodgates opened. Back on even footing, Djokovic broke three more times to extinguish the Mpetshi Perricard threat and move safely through to round two at Roland-Garros, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.

Making a record 82nd Grand Slam main draw appearance in the French capital this year, breaking a record he held jointly with Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez, Djokovic is now 80-2 in opening matches at the majors, and hasn't lost a first match at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.

It is perhaps only the first or second time in my career that I have encountered such a delivery

Afterwards, Djokovic paid tribute to Mpetshi Perricard's serve, telling the Parisian crowd in French that he "made life incredibly difficult for me”.

"I am sure it would feel different if I were to play him five or ten times, but his serve is truly great," he said. "It is difficult to read a serve like that, and it is perhaps only the first or second time in my career that I have encountered such a delivery."

The 2 hour 51 minute win also kept Djokovic's unbeaten record in the Roland-Garros first round intact.

He is now 22-0 in opening matches on the terre battue, which is the most Roland-Garros first-round wins of any man without suffering a loss in the Open era. He also is now 13-0 against French players in Paris all-time.

He'll look to maintain his perfect Parisian record against Frenchmen when he plays Valentin Royer next.