Novak Djokovic has been knocked out of the French Open after losing a five-set epic against 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca.
The 39-year-old third seed – a big favourite for the title with Carlos Alcaraz injured and Jannik Sinner suffering a surprise defeat on Thursday – flew out to a 5-1 lead in the first set in their third-round encounter, but Fonseca roared back to 5-4 only for Djokovic to keep his composure and serve it out.
A tight second set was pinched by Djokovic 6-4, but his teenage opponent then hit back to win the third 6-3 with some outstanding play.
Fonseca then moved a break ahead in the fourth and consolidated for 2-0, but the the Brazilian was broken back when 30-0 up and then missed two further break points at 4-4 in an epic game Djokovic survived.
Fonseca kept his head to break the Serbian again at 5-5, however, serving out the fourth set thrillingly to take things to a fifth.
Fonseca played some inspired tennis to beat Djokovic at Roland Garros
After allowing an ailing Djokovic to break him, Fonseca proceeded to come back from 3-1 down in the decider, capping off a sensational 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-5 victory.
The contest lasted four hours and 53 minutes – the second longest at Roland Garros this year – while temperatures reached 33 degrees.
Djokovic’s defeat is a huge shock, from a position of two sets ahead too
Djokovic’s defeat means the 39-year-old’s wait to go past Margaret Court’s mark of 24 Grand Slam victories will continue in the twilight of his career, and also further opens up the draw in Paris a day after Sinner’s shock exit.
Djokovic, who cut a frustrated figure on Wednesday in his victory over Frenchman Valentin Royer – shushing the crowd, claiming they had ‘no respect’ and being booed by them – shouted at a camera operator on Friday when two sets up, requesting more space at the change of ends with the camera getting up close and personal.
By contrast, Fonseca was the picture of calm despite his tender years and lack of experience on the professional circuit, remarkably retaining composure and a wonderful ability to strike baseline winners with both forehand and backhand en route to wrapping up a stunning success.
Fonseca: I never believed I could actually win – ‘It’s crazy’
Fonseca speaking courtside:
“I actually didn’t believe I could win the match, I just played and enjoyed being on the court. What an idol we have and what a pleasure it was to step on the court against him so I thank him, I am very happy.
“I was just trying to hit the ball as fast as I could, I mean Djokovic doesn’t miss and we still think he’s 20. At the end of the match he was more fit than me, which is crazy, and when the day was getting darker I felt much better. In the beginning I was struggling with the heat and not feeling good.
“I just believed I could do aces, it was crazy. I have never done that before I am super happy that I could finish like this.”
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