On a charged evening at Roland Garros on May 29, 2025, Novak Djokovic, the three-time French Open champion, delivered a masterclass in resilience, defeating home favorite Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) to advance to the third round of the 2025 French Open. Played on the electric Court Suzanne-Lenglen, the match saw the world No. 6 fend off a spirited challenge from the No. 73-ranked Frenchman and a vociferous Paris crowd, maintaining his perfect 12-0 record against French players on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Djokovic’s clinical performance, marked by 43 winners and a crucial tiebreak victory, underscored his ability to thrive under pressure, keeping his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title firmly on track.
Djokovic, fresh off his 100th career title at the Geneva Open, entered the match with confidence after a straight-sets win over Mackenzie McDonald in the first round. “I try to enjoy every moment on this very special and beautiful court,” he had said after that victory, relishing his return to Court Philippe-Chatrier, where he won Olympic gold in 2024. Against Moutet, however, he faced a different beast: a flamboyant opponent known for drop shots and trickery, backed by a crowd chanting “Mouuuutet!” in a nod to football fervor. The match began with a jolt as Moutet broke Djokovic’s serve in the opening game, igniting the stands. But the 38-year-old Serb, no stranger to hostile environments, quickly regained control, breaking back twice to claim the first set 6-3. “It’s a battle out there, you know. Sometimes, it’s not just a battle with the player,” Djokovic noted, acknowledging the crowd’s impact while emphasizing his preparation for such challenges.
The second set saw Djokovic dominate, breaking Moutet in the second game and surging to a 5-2 lead, ultimately sealing it 6-2 with a 78% net point win rate, neutralizing Moutet’s deft drop shots. “Mentally I had to stay concentrated and prepared for a match like that,” Djokovic said, praising Moutet’s speed and versatility. The third set, however, tested his resolve. A foot issue prompted a medical timeout for a bandage on his toe, and Moutet capitalized, breaking to lead 4-2. The Frenchman, buoyed by the crowd, earned a set point at 5-6, but Djokovic’s experience shone through. A pinpoint backhand saved the set point, and he unleashed a commanding 7-1 tiebreak performance, silencing the crowd with a final net approach. “I found a shot to stay in the set, a good service. I think in general I played well, I managed to stay calm on court, which wasn’t easy at times,” he reflected, highlighting his composure in a three-hour, five-minute battle.
Moutet, a Paris native, brought flair with a lob-tweener-drop shot sequence that lifted the crowd, but his 33 unforced errors and inability to sustain pressure against Djokovic’s relentless precision proved costly. “Corentin is a player who has great speed, it was a great battle, especially the third set,” Djokovic acknowledged, giving credit to his opponent’s fight. The Frenchman, who reached the fourth round in 2022 and upset Holger Rune in Rome earlier this year, couldn’t convert his lone set point, falling to 0-3 against Djokovic in their head-to-head, which includes a 2019 Paris Masters win and a 2024 Rome rout.
Djokovic’s victory marked his 20th third-round appearance at Roland Garros, a feat only Roger Federer has surpassed at a single Grand Slam. His 2025 season, though quieter with early clay losses in Monte-Carlo and Madrid, has gained momentum with the Geneva title and now two comfortable wins in Paris. “Coming into Roland Garros, it feels different than compared to the feeling I had three weeks ago,” Djokovic admitted, buoyed by his recent form. His next challenge is either Denis Shapovalov or Filip Misolic, with a potential quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev looming. Despite a foot scare, Djokovic’s performance—54 of 69 net points won and a 32-winner-to-20-error ratio—signals his readiness for the grueling road ahead.
The match also highlighted Djokovic’s complex relationship with the French crowd, who have both cheered and jeered him over the years. “It’s nothing strange about it. It’s expected,” he said of their support for Moutet, noting their louder, more passionate energy compared to other Grand Slam audiences. His ability to silence them with clinical play and a post-match interview in French, where he mourned Rafael Nadal’s absence—“When Rafa is gone, a great part of me is gone”—endeared him to some. As Djokovic chases history, his gritty win over Moutet proves he remains a formidable force, undeterred by crowds or challengers, with his eyes fixed on another Roland Garros crown.
# Novak Djokovic Overpowers Corentin Moutet and Hostile Paris Crowd in Roland Garros Triumph
## A Fiery Start
Novak Djokovic, the No. 6 seed, defeated Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) on May 29, 2025, at Roland Garros, advancing to the third round. Facing a lively Court Suzanne-Lenglen crowd, he overcame an early break, saying, “It’s a battle out there, you know. Sometimes, it’s not just a battle with the player.”
## Dominating the Duel
Djokovic’s 43 winners and 78% net point win rate neutralized Moutet’s trickery. “Mentally I had to stay concentrated and prepared for a match like that,” he said. After a 6-3, 6-2 lead, a foot issue and Moutet’s 4-2 third-set lead tested him, but he saved a set point and won the tiebreak 7-1.
## Moutet’s Challenge
Moutet, ranked No. 73, thrilled fans with a lob-tweener-drop shot but faltered with 33 errors. “Corentin is a player who has great speed, it was a great battle,” Djokovic noted. The Frenchman’s set point at 5-6 slipped away against Djokovic’s clutch backhand.
## Crowd Dynamics
Facing a pro-Moutet crowd, Djokovic stayed composed. “It’s nothing strange about it. It’s expected,” he said of their passion. His French post-match interview, lamenting Nadal’s absence—“When Rafa is gone, a great part of me is gone”—won respect.
## Chasing History
Djokovic’s 20th third-round appearance keeps his 25th Grand Slam dream alive. “Coming into Roland Garros, it feels different,” he said, buoyed by his Geneva title. He faces Shapovalov or Misolic next, with a 12-0 record against Frenchmen at Roland Garros intact.
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