Latest news with #Moutet
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
French Open: Novak Djokovic takes a medical timeout for a toe blister in a victory over Moutet
Novak Djokovic dealt with a blister on his big left toe that required a medical timeout in the third set, then was one point from being forced to a fourth, before closing out a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory over Corentin Moutet at the French Open on Thursday (May 29, 2025). Djokovic said it took nearly an hour for post-match treatment, including draining blood from his toe, which he called 'not really a pleasant process.' But he added that he has 'plenty of time to recover and get ready' before his next match on Saturday and doesn't think he'll have any trouble moving forward. The result put Djokovic in the third round at Roland-Garros for the record 20th time — not even Rafael Nadal managed that. Two more wins, and Djokovic will get to the tournament's quarterfinals for the 16th consecutive year. In 2024, though, he withdrew before playing in that round after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during the fourth round and needing surgery. Djokovic has won three of his men's-record 24 Grand Slam titles in Paris. Against the left-handed Moutet, a Frenchman, Djokovic got broken in the opening game at Court Suzanne-Lenglen, and the crowd roared. But soon enough, Djokovic was in control. It wasn't until 2-all in the third set that some trouble arose. Djokovic, who went on a nighttime bicycle ride in the center of Paris on Wednesday, slid into a forehand and held up, then hopped with all of his weight on his right foot. He stepped gingerly to the sideline and requested a visit from a trainer, who treated and taped the problematic big toe. Soon, Moutet was mean-mugging toward his entourage in the stands after breaking to lead 4-2 in the third. Djokovic would break right back, but again faced a difficult spot while down 6-5 and facing a set point as the locals sang Moutet's last name. But Moutet netted a backhand passing shot, and once they got to a tiebreaker, Djokovic was simply too good. That hasn't been the case as often as usual this season, which has included a pair of three-match losing streaks for the 38-year-old from Serbia. But Djokovic ended his latest rut by winning his 100th career title at the Geneva Open before arriving at Roland-Garros. 'Before last week's tournament in Geneva, I didn't feel confident in my game. But it's normal to feel that way, because I hadn't won enough matches,' Djokovic said. 'I'm like any other player in that respect. I've had to work hard to win.' Novak Djokovic trades his racket for a bicycle and takes a nighttime ride around Paris Novak Djokovic traded his racket for a bicycle and swapped the French Open's clay courts for the cobblestone streets of Paris during a nighttime trip around the Arc de Triomphe. 'I have done some bike rides in the past in Paris, but I haven't done one in a while,' the 24-time Grand Slam champion said after his second-round victory over Corentin Moutet in the tournament on Thursday. 'Roland-Garros was kind enough to gift me a bicycle, so I used it yesterday for the first time.' Less than 24 hours before that match — in which he needed a medical timeout for treatment of a blister on his big left toe — Djokovic was spotted taking in the sights like a tourist while getting some exercise. Someone filmed Djokovic and posted a short clip on social media. Wearing a dark blue track suit, sneakers and a properly fastened helmet — safety first! — the 38-year-old Serbian star pedaled through the famously hectic roundabout at one end of the Champs-Élysées. Not exactly the most bike-friendly spot in the City of Light, but Djokovic looked perfectly at ease. 'We were kind of trying our luck a little bit with that roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe. To be honest, at one point, we had cars all over the place. It was quite an adrenaline experience, but I don't think I will repeat that, especially in that environment where we were filmed,' he said. 'Probably in all other streets, it's much more safe. But, yeah, we were crazy enough to get into that roundabout. It was fun but at one point but also a bit dangerous.' Someone called out, 'I love you!' and Djokovic responded with a grin and said, 'I love you, too.' He just won his 100th career title and now his aiming for his record 25th at a major tournament. 'It's great to see Paris from the bicycle. I think it's just more fun. You're not stuck in traffic. With the car, at times, it can be frustrating for whatever reason,' Djokovic said. 'But with the bicycle, it's just beautiful.'
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
French Open 2025: Djokovic saves set point, battles past Moutet to stay on course for record Grand Slam
Three-time champion Novak Djokovic battled past Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) in a match that lasted more than three hours on Thursday, to reach the French Open third round and stay on track for a record-breaking 25th career Grand Slam title. Moutet pushed the 38-year-old, who shares the Slam record with Australia's Margaret Court, especially in the third set where he carved out a set point. 'Mentally you have to be concentrated throughout such a match. Corentin is very quick, he is a fighter, especially in the third set,' Djokovic said in a post-match interview. 'He had set point. At that moment anything could happen but I stayed in the set. At the right time I found a good serve. ALSO READ | French Open 2025: Zverev wards off De Jong challenge to sail into third round 'I know everyone asks me the secrets of success. It is not one thing but a combination, a formula that evolved with my career. For me now it is important to find the motivation. Obviously motivation now is to make more history.' Moutet broke the Serb, fresh from winning in Geneva last week for his 100th ATP Tour title of his career, early in the first set but Djokovic bounced back with two breaks of his own to snatch it. He was at times troubled by the southpaw who slid, lunged and chased down every ball he could in his trademark style, to try and stay in the game, as the sold-out home crowd in Court Philippe Chatrier fired him on. Djokovic, who looks to have found his form after splitting with coach Andy Murray a few weeks ago, snatched another two breaks to go 5-2 up and bagged the second set on his serve. Moutet, ranked 73rd in the world, managed to break his opponent's serve and go 4-2 up after Djokovic took a medical timeout for treatment on the toes of his left foot. But he gifted it back the very next game before earning a set point at 6-5. Djokovic held firm and secured his third round spot with a commanding tiebreak performance. He will next face either Canada's Denis Shapovalov or Austrian Filip Misolic in round three.
United News of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Djokovic outclasses Moutet in straight sets
Paris, May 30 (UNI)Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the French Open with a commanding straight-sets victory over local favourite Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) in a night session encounter at Court Suzanne Lenglen on Thursday. The Serbian ace, seeking his fourth Roland Garros crown and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, was in clinical touch throughout the contest, silencing a partisan French spectators with his trademark baseline precision and superior shot selection. Despite the electrifying atmosphere created by home fans rallying behind Moutet, Djokovic remained composed. He broke the Frenchman's serve five times during the match while saving three of the five break points he faced. Though Moutet showed flashes of brilliance and even took the third set to a tiebreak, Djokovic tightened the screws in the decider, running away with it 7-1. The 37-year-old struck five aces and committed just two double faults, while winning a total of 120 points to Moutet's 93. 'I'm happy with the way I played, especially in the first two sets,' said Djokovic after the match. 'Corentin is a tough opponent with the crowd behind him, but I stayed focused and raised my level when it mattered.' Djokovic will face the winner of the match between Lorenzo Musetti and Gaël Monfils in the third round. UNI BDN ARN
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
French Open: Novak Djokovic Moves Into Third Round With Victory Over Corentin Moutet
Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic marched into the third round of the ongoing French Open, defeating Corentin Moutet in his second round game in the French capital on Thursday. As per ATP's official website, Djokovic, who is chasing his 25th Grand Slam title, eliminated Moutet from the competition with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) win. Moutet entertained the crowd with some fighting tennis, some unbelievably deft drop shots which made Djokovic struggle at times. However, the class and big game experience of the Serbian maestro was too much. During his match that lasted just over three hours, Djokovic displayed the top form that landed him his 100th ATP Tour-level title recently after he beat Hubert Hurkacz for the Geneva Open title. This string of wins comes after opening round losses in Monte Carlo and Madrid in April. The world number six in the ATP Rankings has been in top form at Paris, having eased past Mackenzie McDonald in the opener. Speaking after the game, Djokovic was quoted as saying by the ATP website, "Mentally I had to stay concentrated and prepared for a match like that. Corentin is a player who has great speed, it was a great battle, especially the third set. I saved a set point... At that moment, anything is possible. I found a shot to stay in the set, a good service. I think in general I played well, I managed to stay calm on court, which was not easy at times." Earlier, world number one Jannik Sinner shut the curtain down on Richard Gasquet's career as he soared to a convincing win to qualify for the third round. In his 22nd appearance at the clay-court major in Paris, the 38-year-old Gasquet's last dance concluded with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 defeat in a fixture that lasted for one hour and 58 minutes. On the other hand, the number one-ranked tennis star extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 16, making him the first man born in 1990 or later to accomplish the feat. Listen to the latest songs, only on
France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Djokovic rolls past Moutet to reach French Open last 32
It was largely plain sailing for the 38-year-old Djokovic although he did have to save a set point to force a tie-break in the third set. That came after the 24-time Grand Slam champion took a medical timeout earlier in the set to receive treatment for a blister on his left foot. "Things got a little bit complicated with the blister. That was bothering me for a bit," said Djokovic. "But I don't think it's going to be an issue for me to recover." Just when Moutet threatened to prolong the match, Djokovic clicked back into gear -- a day after a nighttime cycle around the Arc de Triomphe -- to improve to 12-0 against Frenchmen at Roland Garros. "Obviously atmosphere was electric, especially in that third set. He was close to win it, so the crowd got involved. And it was, yeah, not much fun for me," said Djokovic. He is through to the last 32 in Paris for the 20th time, more than even 14-time champion Rafael Nadal managed. But Djokovic said he would not repeat his jaunt around the notoriously busy Place Charles de Gaulle, where 12 avenues converge. "At one point we had cars all over the place. It was quite an adrenaline experience, but I don't think I will repeat that," he said. "Probably in all other streets, it's much more safe. But, yeah, we were crazy enough to get into that roundabout. It was fun but at one point but also a bit dangerous." Djokovic will play 23-year-old Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic for a spot in the last 16. Misolic withstood a comeback from Canadian 27th seed Denis Shapovalov to prevail 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 4-6, 6-3. The three-time French Open champion issued a playful appeal to tournament organisers not to schedule his next match on Saturday night, to avoid a clash with the Champions League final. Paris Saint-Germain will be bidding for a first European crown against Inter Milan. Kick-off in Munich is roughly 30 minutes after the evening session begins at Roland Garros. "It's going to be PSG that I will support. I will definitely watch it if I'm not playing night session," said Djokovic.
