PARIS (Dispatches) - Novak Djokovic avoided a shock fourth-round exit at the French Open after fighting back from two sets down against teenager Lorenzo Musetti.
The world number one looked out of sorts before rallying, leading 6-7 (7-9) 6-7 (2-7) 6-1 6-0 4-0 when the Italian retired with an injury.
World number 76 Musetti, playing his first Grand Slam main draw, was given a standing ovation as he left the court.
Djokovic will face Italian ninth seed Matteo Berrettini next.
It is the fifth time Djokovic has overturned a two-set deficit to win at a Grand Slam.
However, he was clearly frustrated by Musetti, who was able to match him shot-for-shot in the opening stages.
The teenager began to struggle with what appeared to be an abdominal injury and, after winning just four points in the fourth set, took a medical time-out.
Williams Stunned by
Rybakina
Serena Williams’ wait for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on after the American was beaten 6-3 7-5 by an inspired Elena Rybakina in the French Open fourth round on Sunday.
From the moment the 21-year-old Rybakina, playing in only her seventh Grand Slam main draw, held her opening two service games without dropping a point, Williams looked in peril.
And so it proved as seventh seed Williams bowed out to add yet another twist to a wildly unpredictable women’s event.
With so many big names having fallen, including Victoria Azarenka early in the day, a prospective quarter-final opponent for Williams, the path to the final looked enticing.
But Williams, whose last Grand Slam title came in 2017 at the Australian Open, was unable to find her A game.
She remained philosophical in defeat, however, saying that her expectations coming into the tournament had not been high.
“I’m in a much better place than when I got here,” the American told reporters.