UPDATE 1-Tennis-Record hunter Djokovic passes Mpetshi Perricard test in Paris

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.

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. "Congratulations to Giovanni," Djokovic said in French. "I played him for the first time and it's practically impossible ⁠to ​see where he will serve. ⁠It's something I've seen maybe one or two times in my career, with Reilly Opelka or Ivo Karlovic.

"In a match like ⁠that, you have to stay focused and wait for an opportunity. It was a bit difficult, but in the end, ​I found my best tennis and best return game at the right moment." 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. Djokovic celebrated ⁠his win with a little jig and then paid tribute to his fans in the stands.

"Beautiful atmosphere, it gives me a lot of sensations on the ‌court," he said.