Novak Djokovic progresses to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros

The Serbian Novak Djokovic fought back despite the scare suffered on Monday, finding himself two sets down against young Italian Lorenzo Musetti (76º), who retired due to discomfort with 4-0 down in the fifth set. It is Djokovic's 15th time reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

The world number 1, runner-up in 2020 and aiming for a 19th Grand Slam title, lost the first two sets in tie-breaks but managed to recover and crush the Italian in the following two sets. Musetti chose to abandon the match with 4-0 down in the decisive fifth set.

After his 6-7 (7/9), 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0 victory, Novak Djokovic will face fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini in the quarterfinals. Berrettini advanced to the last eight at the Parisian Grand Slam after a physically weakened Roger Federer withdrew from the tournament to focus on the grass season.

The winner of the Djokovic-Berrettini match on Wednesday could potentially face Rafa Nadal in the semifinals, assuming the Spaniard defeats Italian Jannik Sinner (19th) in the round of 16 and Argentine Diego Schwartzman (10th) in the quarterfinals. Schwartzman just eliminated German Jan-Lennard Struff (42nd) 7-6 (11/9), 6-4, 7-5. AFP

After a valiant effort, Musetti is forced to retire. @DjokerNole advances to the quarterfinals 6-7(7), 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0 ret. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/DcliHyrPzW

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2021