Alexander Davidovich challenged Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, pushing the future Hall of Famer to his limits before the Spaniard finally fell in four sets, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-2. Djokovic faced his sternest test of the tournament so far, and Davidovich delivered a demanding performance that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats for nearly three hours. It was a match that demanded endurance and poise from both players, with the Malaga native fighting to the end even as the Serb clung to every advantage he could muster.
Djokovic entered the arena with a confident smile, yet he anticipated a difficult battle. Davidovich did not make the path to victory easy. The two players have trained together in Marbella, and the familiarity showed in the way Djokovic anticipated Davidovich’s aggressive rhythm, while the Spaniard repeatedly disrupted it with sharp drop shots and powerful groundstrokes. The exchange showcased a clash between a seasoned champion and a rising counterpuncher whose shape and timing were on full display throughout the match.
This description captures the Djokovic versus Davidovich clash at Roland Garros.
Attributed to Roland Garros coverage and the Spanish ATP Tour, June 2, 2023.
Davidovich opened the scoring break first, moving ahead 2-3 in the opening set. Djokovic swung back in the following game, leveling at 3-3, but his energy and focus appeared momentarily unsettled. Davidovich leaned into the moment, continuing to press while Djokovic, seemingly unsettled by the wind and the Spaniard’s persistence, found it hard to settle into a rhythm.
Three double faults in one game
Djokovic surrendered serve again in a critical game at 5-6. A trio of errors plus a time-violation warning punctuated the moment, and the set looked likely to slip away. Djokovic steadied himself with a time-out and then dominated the ensuing tie-break, taking a 3-1 lead. The rally concluded after 1 hour 28 minutes, with Davidovich left to contemplate what might have been. He had been close to shifting momentum, but the Serbian’s resilience proved decisive in this phase.
As the temperature rose, the action intensified, with each point carrying heavy weight on the scoreboard and in the stands. Coverage of the match highlighted the dramatic swings and the meticulous defense mounted by Djokovic, even as Davidovich continued to push for openings and scores that would tilt the balance in his favor.
The second set resumed with renewed urgency. The contest produced another decisive tie-break, again favoring Djokovic despite a stern challenge from Davidovich. The Malaga-native pressed hard, arriving at 5-4 with a chance to seize control, only to see three points slip away in a row. Djokovic seized the moment, celebrating in a demonstrative fashion as the set concluded. The set duration approached one hour and twenty-five minutes, with Djokovic enduring noticeable stretches of discomfort and a high number of non-forced errors, including six double faults, yet managing to extract the critical points when needed and keep the tie-break alive.
Annoyed by the crowd
Early in the third set, Djokovic sought medical attention and indicated his displeasure with a diverted focus toward the crowd after a moment on his left hip. Davidovich appeared visibly devastated by the turn of events, and the Spaniard’s rhythm seemed disrupted for a stretch as Djokovic took a three-game advantage from the outset. The Serb’s mood and vocal expressions reflected the pressure of competing at this level in a high-stakes Grand Slam environment.
Despite the tense atmosphere and the crowd’s energy, Djokovic maintained his edge and closed out the match, earning a place in the round of 16. The match underscored the difficulty players face when facing a resilient opponent who can disrupt established patterns and capitalizes on every small opening to keep the outcome in doubt. The day’s results placed Djokovic further into the tournament spotlight while Davidovich demonstrated that his game has the tools to trouble even the toughest competitors in big moments.