2023 French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic beats Alejandro Davidovich Fokina – scores
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Djokovic embraces Iron Man tag after Fucsovics win
The French Open third round is underway as Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka continue to navigate off-court controversies at Roland Garros, while Carlos Alcaraz returns to top billing on Friday.
Djokovic beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina amid the fall-out of his decision to write “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” on the camera after his first-round victory, as the Serbian continued his bid to win a men’s record 23rd grand slam. Djokovic remains on a collision course with world No 1 Alcaraz, who faces Denis Shapovalov in the night session.
Earlier, Sabalenka resumed her bid for consecutive grand slam titles with a straight-sets win against Kamilla Rakhimova. It came after she was confronted by a Ukrainian journalist following her second-round win and afterwards, Sabalenka did not undertake her usual media duties citing mental health concerns.
The result of the day was pulled off by Lorenzo Sonego, who came from two sets down to stun seventh seed Andrey Rublev in an epic comeback, before Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina recovered from a set down to defeat the Russian Anna Blinkova and continue her run at Roland Garros.
Follow live scores and updates from the French Open below:
Novak Djokovic battles past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in French Open marathon
Report on Djokovic’s third-round victory:
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 18:51
Novak Djokovic beats Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in hard-fought contest
Here’s Djokovic: “I knew it was going to be a difficult match, a physical match. He competed very well, he’s an amazing fighter and an amazing player. There are not many weaknesses in his game and he played a great match.
“A win is a win. I thought if I lost the second set we would probably play five hours today. You have to be ready, that is what Grand Slam tennis is all about. It takes a lot of effort but you have to believe in yourself. I am proud of the performance today for sure.
“Three hours for two sets is obviously a lot. It required a lot of energy and my priority now is to recover. Tomorrow I will have a day off and I’ll be ready to play again.”
Novak Djokovic is congratulated by Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
(AP)
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 18:10
Game, set, match! Novak Djokovic 7-6 7-6 6-2 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
He was made to work hard for this one, but Djokovic gets over the line! He is through to the fourth round and takes another step towards slam No 23.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 17:59
French Open:…
Read More: 2023 French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic beats Alejandro Davidovich Fokina – scores 2023-06-02 17:51:36