Echo (cat)

It was a Monday afternoon that just about value the Serbian world No. 1. On a decent rope, trailing two units to at least one and 4-2 within the fourth set, with a drained face and knee proper light, Novak Djokovic was just a few factors away from leaving the door prematurely at Roland-Garros, earlier than he bought up, in actual fact. and grandiose, for a second success in 5 units in a row on this match (6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3), the eleventh in his final 12 matches performed in the very best of 5 units (simply the case on this interval, on the finish of Wimbledon 2023 towards Carlos Alcaraz).

And “Djoko” absolutely deserved the standing ovation that Philippe-Chatrier spontaneously reserved for him on the finish of a surreal recreation, probably not realizing how the satan this world No 1 did it. “Once more, thanks very a lot. Just like the final recreation, this victory is your victory. I used to be possibly three, 4 factors away from shedding this recreation at the moment. I congratulate Francisco, who deserves this reward. After that, how do I discover the best way to win? Do not know. the identical factor you had been”he stated on the bottom, talking to the general public.

After they arrived, the Serbian continues to be there, standing. Within the quarter-finals at Roland Garros with out a single false observe since 2010. He even ousts Roger Federer from the books by holding alone probably the most variety of Grand Slam victories (370) and 1 / 4 -finals in Majors (59). After the battle of the day, the place his knee buckled, the place he seemed like he would fall for the rely, the place he fell full size on a twisted assist within the closing set, the place he swam the entrance needle in a cut up mendacity on the gold after hand. volley on the finish of the racket, it should make him smile a bit of. However above all, this can be a signal that this man, who’s hungry for a fantastic story, nonetheless needs an increasing number of at 37 years previous.

With discomfort in his proper knee, the Serb appeared to pull out the ache for almost three units

After a fantastic evening battle 4:29 hours towards Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday and completed at 3:06 am, the Serb did it once more lower than 48 hours later: 4:39 this time, for achievement within the tough, within the arduous, with a proper knee “patch” when he entered the courtroom, and who began to wrestle with him from the start of the second set, after the primary set which was nonetheless beneath full management, thanks primarily to his lengthy and straight cross prematurely. bombing, which dismissed the accusations of South America.

However then the Serb appeared to pull out his downside for nearly three units. Trailing at 1-2 within the second set, then rapidly touching down the subsequent two rounds, he usually ended the rallies with a cascade of small, cautious serves, as if to kneel launch He then selected his races, freed himself from others in the midst of the sector, clearly showing in hassle… Earlier than he was born once more and chased away the evil on the finish of the fourth set, as if by magic, when he entered the black tunnel, damaged and led 4-2! To complete like a golden eagle, like a 100 m swimmer, discover victory within the stroke, size within the trade and kiss strains in any respect prices!

World No. 1 like no different

Djokovic in all his closing magnificence, who doesn’t hand over his ache or his fashion victories, who suffers overtly then wins in anger, who’s equal at two units in his -everywhere by elevating each arms within the air, as if he might see the sunshine dancing once more. It might annoy, it may possibly deceive, it is going to certainly ignite anyway. Fully inhabited and infrequently unreadable, Djokovic is above all an incredible fighter and all this provides to the greatness of this world No. 1 like no different.

As a result of it was vital this Monday the Argentinian was conquered with a hand like a sabre, Francisco Cerundolo (45 successful hand). The South American, twenty seventh on the planet, additionally raised not just like the others, who likes when issues hit after they hit, on the bottom however a semi-final in Miami in 2022. Launched right into a season of a thousand doubts, with out a single cup or perhaps a easy closing to go on since January, Djokovic pulled away like hell, like this divine match at 4-3 within the closing set, the place the Serb got here again from 40-0 down, taking good care of a dropped shot, then touchdown a forehand. the road to interrupt. The final, the final of the fifth set bordered on the chic, the place the successful factors shone like pearls in a scrumptious begin to the night.

It now stays to be seen how Novak Djokovic, who will face the winner of the duel between Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud within the quarter-finals, will recuperate, bodily and mentally, from the 2 emotional, virtually non-existent battles. affordable, steady this.