PARIS — At age 39, Novak Djokovic can still wear opponents down.
Even opponents nearly half his age — and in front of a hostile crowd, too.
The Serbian star came back from a set down Sunday for a 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 victory over 22-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who was playing on home soil, during the first day of the French Open. The victory came as Djokovic made his 82nd Grand Slam appearance, breaking the record for men’s singles.
Grunting during long rallies and digging deep on the opening night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, it wasn’t until 1 hour, 45 minutes in that Djokovic finally found a way to break his 6-foot-7 opponent and even the match at a set apiece.
The crowd was pumped for a potential stunner — Djokovic hasn’t lost in the first round of a Grand Slam in 20 years — but after two tense sets, Mpetshi Perricard seemed deflated of energy.