Reigning champion Novak Djokovic eased into the third round of the French Open on Wednesday and Alexander Zverev saved a match point as he recovered from two sets down, but Maria Sakkari became the fifth women’s top-10 seed to exit.
Djokovic made comfortable work of Slovakia’s Alex Molcan, the world number one winning 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) against a player trained by his long-time former coach Marian Vajda, the man who inspired most of his 20 Grand Slam titles.
“I could feel the support. There were tricky conditions today with a lot of wind coming in different directions.
The top seed will continue his bid for a third Roland Garros crown against Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene in the last 32.
Zverev overcame Baez 2-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 7-5 after three hours and 36 minutes. He will play Brandon Nakashima of the US for a place in the last 16.
“The greats – Roger (Federer), Rafa (Nadal), Djokovic – always find a way in the most difficult moments.”
However, Greek fourth seed Sakkari crashed out after going down 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4) to Czech world number 81 Karolina Muchova.
Her defeat left the women’s draw without four of its top six seeds as she followed defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, Anett Kontaveit and Ons Jabeur through the exit door.
“It’s very special, she’s an amazing player. It was a big fight, a little bit of a test and challenge for me and I’m happy I took it the way I did,” said Muchova.
Former Grand Slam champions Angelique Kerber and Victoria Azarenka also advanced to the third round.
The German 21st seed next plays Aliaksandra Sasnovich, the Belarusian who knocked out US Open champion Emma Raducanu 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
“I had a lot of confidence. It’s great to be back here and I hope I can still play a few more matches.”
Chasing a 14th French Open title, Rafael Nadal goes up against French wildcard Corentin Moutet in the evening session. Moutet knocked out 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka in round one.
The 35-year-old’s record at the French Open stands at a staggering 106 wins and just three losses since his 2005 title-winning debut, but he is without a title on clay this season after dealing with rib and foot injuries.
Alcaraz, the tour’s dominant player in 2022 with a season-leading four titles, faces fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas for a place in the last 32.
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Originally published as Djokovic cruises as Zverev survives at French Open, Sakkari upset
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