Tennis-Record hunter Djokovic passes Mpetshi Perricard test in Paris

Mpetshi Perricard received treatment for a wrist and arm ⁠issue and recovered an early break in the next set, but Djokovic ⁠edged in front ⁠again at 4-3 and paved the way for an opening win on his 22nd straight appearance at the ‌Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic began ​his latest bid for a ​record 25th Grand Slam ‌title by ​crossing a milestone and a tricky hurdle with a 5-7 7-5 6-1 6-4 French Open ‌first-round victory over local hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Sunday.

The Serb went past Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam men's singles appearances, taking his ‌tally to 82, but he was far from his dominant best ‌early on Court Philippe Chatrier having played only one previous match on clay this season. That rust briefly showed and Mpetshi Perricard broke for a 6-5 lead in the ⁠opening set, ​which he claimed ⁠with a big ace in the next game to become the first man in ⁠17 years to take a set off Djokovic in the first round of ​Roland Garros.

Third seed Djokovic weathered more of Mpetshi Perricard's power from ⁠the baseline and converted his 10th break point of the second set to level the ⁠contest ​and the 39-year-old steadily dialled up the intensity to cruise through the third set. Mpetshi Perricard received treatment for a wrist and arm ⁠issue and recovered an early break in the next set, but Djokovic ⁠edged in front ⁠again at 4-3 and paved the way for an opening win on his 22nd straight appearance at the ‌Grand Slam.