In a captivating second-round clash at Roland Garros on May 29, 2025, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, showcased his enduring brilliance, overcoming a tenacious Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) to advance to the third round of the French Open. The 38-year-old Serbian, chasing a record-extending 25th major title, navigated a spirited challenge from the home favorite and a raucous Parisian crowd on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, delivering a performance that blended precision, resilience, and a touch of defiance. “It’s nothing strange about it,” Djokovic said of the hostile atmosphere. “I just expect if I play a French player in Roland Garros, I would expect that most of the people would cheer the French player.”
The match was a study in contrasts: Djokovic’s methodical dominance against Moutet’s flair and unpredictability. Fresh off his 100th career title at the Geneva Open, Djokovic arrived in Paris with renewed confidence after a shaky clay season. His first-round win over Mackenzie McDonald (6-3, 6-3, 6-3) marked his 21st consecutive opening-round victory at Roland Garros, and he carried that momentum into the second round. Moutet, ranked No. 73, brought his signature creativity, deploying underarm serves and drop shots to disrupt the Serbian’s rhythm. The 26-year-old Frenchman, buoyed by a vocal crowd, pushed Djokovic to a third-set tiebreak, even earning a set point. “C’est respect, uh?” Djokovic quipped when the crowd’s fervor crossed into distraction, prompting giggles and murmurs from the stands.
The first two sets saw Djokovic in control, his serve firing with precision and his groundstrokes unrelenting. He broke Moutet early to claim the opener 6-3 and surged to a 6-2 second set, exploiting the Frenchman’s 8-9 season record and lack of a big weapon. Yet, Moutet’s tenacity shone in the third set, where he led 5-2 and held a set point on Djokovic’s serve. The Serbian, battling blisters that required a medical timeout, refused to yield. “I try to enjoy every moment on this very special and beautiful court,” he said, reflecting on his love for Roland Garros. A high-level tiebreak followed, with Djokovic’s serving prowess—described as “very high level” by observers—sealing a 7-1 rout to clinch the match after over three hours.
Moutet, a Paris native known for his mercurial style, fed off the crowd’s energy, having reached the Italian Open’s last 16 with a stunning upset over Holger Rune. His 9-7 Roland Garros record and fourth consecutive second-round appearance underscored his clay-court comfort, but Djokovic’s 2-0 head-to-head lead, including a prior clay win in 2024, loomed large. “Moutet played at a high level throughout,” one observer noted, praising his ability to challenge Djokovic on key points. Despite controversies this season, including a heated exchange with Alexander Bublik and an alleged threat from Pavel Kotov, Moutet’s flair made him a crowd darling.
Djokovic’s path to a fourth French Open title remains daunting, with potential clashes against Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. “Coming into Roland Garros, it feels different than I had compared to the feeling I had three weeks ago,” Djokovic admitted, crediting his Geneva triumph for boosting his confidence. His 98th win at Roland Garros, tying him with Gael Monfils for the most five-set victories in the Open Era, underscores his enduring hunger. “History in this sport has given me everything in my life,” he said, emphasizing his drive to surpass Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam titles.
As Djokovic advances to face either Denis Shapovalov or Filip Misolic, the Parisian crowd’s intensity will likely persist. “I’ve played in a lot of hostile environments throughout my career; it’s nothing I haven’t experienced before,” he said, unfazed by the challenge. Moutet, despite the loss, earned plaudits for his grit, with one commentator noting, “Moutet had a set point and the crowd responded, hissing with excitement.” For Djokovic, the victory marked his sixth consecutive win since the Paris Olympics, signaling a return to form as he eyes history. With the third round beckoning, the Serbian legend’s quest for greatness continues to captivate the tennis world.
# Novak Djokovic Defeats Corentin Moutet to Reach French Open Third Round
## Match Recap
On May 29, 2025, Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the French Open, defeating Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The 38-year-old Serbian, chasing a 25th Grand Slam, overcame a spirited Moutet and a vocal crowd. “It’s nothing strange about it,” Djokovic said of the atmosphere. “I just expect if I play a French player in Roland Garros, I would expect that most of the people would cheer the French player.”
## Key Moments
Djokovic dominated the first two sets, breaking Moutet early for 6-3, 6-2. Moutet rallied in the third, leading 5-2 and earning a set point, but Djokovic, despite a medical timeout for blisters, forced a tiebreak. “C’est respect, uh?” he quipped as the crowd’s noise peaked. His “very high-level” serving clinched a 7-1 tiebreak. “Moutet played at a high level throughout,” an observer noted.
## Djokovic’s Campaign
Fresh off his 100th title in Geneva, Djokovic’s 98th Roland Garros win marked his 21st straight first-round victory in Paris. “Coming into Roland Garros, it feels different than I had compared to the feeling I had three weeks ago,” he said. His sixth consecutive win since the Olympics signals strong form, with history—surpassing 24 Grand Slams—driving him. “History in this sport has given me everything,” he added.
## Moutet’s Effort
Moutet, ranked No. 73, used drop shots and underarm serves, pushing Djokovic with a set point. His Italian Open upset over Holger Rune showed his potential, but Djokovic’s 2-0 head-to-head lead held. “I try to enjoy every moment on this very special and beautiful court,” Djokovic said, as he now faces Denis Shapovalov or Filip Misolic.
Leave a Reply