French Open 2024: Djokovic v Cerúndolo, De Minaur beats Medvedev – live | French Open 2024

Djokovic 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 4-4 Cerundolo* (*denotes server) Cerundolo keeps it simple and hits a dropshot quickly for the first point. He knows Djokovic is not as mobile because of his knee. But he then misses a forehand to make it 15-15. A drop volley gives the server the lead but then a double fault makes it 30-30. Djokovic takes advantage of the fact that his opponent has some nerves with a fantastic winner down the line and after a double fault, we’re all tied up! Djokovic gestures to the crowd, wanting more from them.

*Djokovic 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 3-4 Cerundolo (*denotes server) The Serbian wins the first point of this game and the crowd loudly cheer. They are firmly on his side now that he is an underdog in this match (Can you call Novak an underdog ever?) All of a sudden he is 40-0 after his opponent hits the sideline with a backhand and he sees out the game with some good serving. Lots of ‘Novak! Novak! Novak!’ cheers now.

Djokovic 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 2-4 Cerundolo* (*denotes server) Djokovic looks at his team and is waving around his racket. He seems to be in really bad shape. He starts this game by putting a backhand into the net and he goes down 30-15 after a lob goes over the baseline. It’s then 40-15 after Cerundolo guides his opponents crosscourt shot right into open space and an ace finishes the game off.

*Djokovic 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 2-3 Cerundolo (*denotes server) A drop shot into the net makes it 30-15 for Djokovic. It is then all square after a forehand to the baseline from Cerundolo speeds past and all the Serbian does is still stay rooted in his place to watch it.

We get to deuce and Cerundolo takes advantage after a dink of a drop shot. Djokovic is barely moving on the court as he leans forward and massages his knee. Will the Argentinian break here? He does! The world No 27 takes the game after Djokovic’s forehand is long. Wow!

Djokovic 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 2-2 Cerundolo* (*denotes server) Thanks Katy! And hello again all! Oof! Djokoivc loses the fourth game of the fourth set after slipping again near the baseline.

Djokoivc is having trouble with his serve and he is looking to his team for help, wondering why it isn’t coming off for him.

As Djokovic secures a hold to 30, it’s time for me to say goodbye and hand you over to Yara for the rest of this match. Hopefully you won’t still be here at 3am…

Djokovic* 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 1-1 Cerundolo

Djokovic opens with a rarity – a hold to love. His first since the opening game of the match, in fact. He then tries to make some inroads into Cerundolo’s serve, and hits a great winner on the second point, but can’t get much further. Cerundolo is pointing his finger in the air in celebration after a superb backhand drop shot. 40-15. And he holds when Djokovic drills long at 40-30.

Cerundolo wins the third set 6-3!

Djokovic 6-1, 5-7, 3-5 Cerundolo*

An easy hold for Cerundolo, and he’s closing in on a two sets to one lead. Of course we’ve been here so many times with Djokovic, where you think he’s beaten but he goes on to laugh in the face of defeat. But this year feels a little different. Can he still pull off the seemingly impossible? He does, at least, claim an uneventful hold to force Cerundolo to serve out the set.

Djokovic 6-1, 5-7, 2-4 Cerundolo*

Cerundolo holds, so the pressure is back on Djokovic. The atmosphere is a bit flat, mirroring Djokovic’s mood, as the shadows start to lengthen over Philippe Chatrier. It’s approaching 7pm in Paris, and this match is now at two and a half hours. Djokovic is left applauding his opponent as Cerundolo clubs a quite ridiculous forehand winner down the line, his 37th winner of the day. 30-all. Djokovic nudges ahead to 40-30, but is pulled back to deuce. He’s wincing. Or perhaps squinting in the evening sun. But he holds from there.

Djokovic 6-1, 5-7, 1-3 Cerundolo*

Djokovic looks so muted out there. He’s been criticised this year for not showing his usual relentless commitment to win – which makes you realise how superhuman it was that he managed to keep that intensity up for so many years – but it’s hard to know whether today is a sign of the 37-year-old’s general malaise, the injury he suffered in the second set or his late finish yesterday. Perhaps it’s all three. Cerundolo gets a break point at 30-40 for the double break, but Djokovic shows resolve to recover and move to his advantage. He doesn’t close out that point, but finally goes on to seal what could be an important hold.

The women’s quarter-final line-up is now complete

Djokovic* 6-1, 5-7, 0-3 Cerundolo

Andreeva’s victory didn’t come at the best time, as I completely missed Cerundolo breaking Djokovic in the second game of the third set. Oops. You wait ages for the Argentinian to break and then two come along in successive Djokovic service games. The Argentinian then pushes further ahead with a hold to 15. That’s five games on the spin for Cerundolo. Djokovic is reeling.

Andreeva beats Gracheva 7-5, 6-2!

Djokovic* 6-1, 5-7, 0-1 Cerundolo

Djokovic looks grumpy and grouchy, no surprise really after his all-nighter yesterday. The last thing he wanted was for this match to go on any longer than necessary, having won the first set. But now he’ll have to play four at the very least. And even the first game of the third set is proving attritional. Cerundolo holds from deuce, with the help of a lucky net cord, as the match clock ticks past two hours.

Cerundolo wins the second set 7-5

So will it be one set all or will it be tie-break time? At 15-all, Djokovic doesn’t choose the best time to throw in his second double fault of the day. 15-30. 15-40, two set points! Surely Cerundolo has to break eventually? And then Djokovic is distracted by someone whistling during his ball toss. He stops, steadies himself, before serving and saving the first. But Djokovic can’t win the second as he prods into the tramlines!

Djokovic* 6-1, 5-6 Cerundolo

Djokovic does all the hard work on the opening point, showing great defence to stay in it, before biffing a poor backhand into the net. 15-0, 30-0 Cerundolo. Which very quickly becomes 40-0. And game. A love hold for the Argentinian and he’s guaranteed a tie-break at the very least.

Djokovic 6-1, 5-5 Cerundolo*

You feel this set could be decisive in terms of who wins the match. Would Djokovic physically be able to last more than three sets? After all the break points he’s faced in this set, he could do with an easy hold here, and gets off to the perfect start to bring up 30-0. But a let is played on the third point and Cerundolo takes it. 30-15. 40-15, as Djokovic digs a volley out of the red dirt. And Djokovic holds with an unreturned serve out wide.

Djokovic* 6-1, 4-5 Cerundolo

The painkillers look to have kicked in now, as Djokovic skips around the court and gets to 15-all on Cerundolo’s serve. Djokovic retrieves smash after smash on the next point – no problem with his movement there – but Cerundolo eventually puts the ball away. Djokovic has some stern words for his box – and he’s still gesticulating to them as he walks to his chair after Cerundolo seals another hold.

Djokovic 6-1, 4-4 Cerundolo*

Cerundolo is 0/10 on break points in this match and here’s No11. 30-40 on the Djokovic serve. This would be the perfect time to finally break – he would then be serving for the set. Djokovic misses his first serve, a long rally plays out after the second, and Cerundolo sends a lazy shot long. That’s a let-off for Djokovic. And Djokovic moves left and right and left and right before pulling off the perfect drop shot! Djokovic holds.

Djokovic is getting another leg rub at the changeover after Cerundolo holds, and the Serb is complaining to the officials. “I’m telling you it’s not OK,” Djokovic says about the state of the court. I think he wants the clay to be swept and is saying that’s why he hurt his leg. “I screwed up my knee. I’m slipping and sliding all the time,” he protests.

Andreeva wins the first set 7-5

Over on Suzanne Lenglen, it’s the Russian-born Varvara Gracheva, now a home favourite after switching her citizenship to France last year, against the hugely talented Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva. Both are reaching for their first grand slam quarter-final, and it’s Andreeva who’s edged the first set, taking it 7-5.

Djokovic 6-1, 3-3 Cerundolo*

Cerundolo clobbers a forehand winner to bring up another break point. Maybe 10 is his lucky number. But another strong first serve… Cerundolo gets it back… Djokovic moves forward… and Cerundolo just misses the pass! Deuce. Advantage Djokovic. Jeu Djokovic, with a backhand winner down the line. I wonder how important that hold will prove to be.

*Djokovic 6-1, 2-3 Cerundolo

After Cerundolo holds, Djokovic calls for the trainer again for a quick bit of treatment. He looks to be moving OK during points, but appears more uncomfortable between them, constantly jumping and stretching to test his leg out. He’s in a bit of bother at 15-30 on his serve, but Cerundolo lets him off the hook. Cerundolo could be doing more to test Djokovic’s movement, I don’t think he’s hit a single drop shot since Djokovic’s injury, but then, of course, just as I type that Cerundolo strikes with a … a drop shot. 30-40, break point. A big first serve saves that, but Djokovic is rattled when a fan calls out during the next point and he goes wide. Another break point – another stinging serve. Cerundolo is now 0/8 on break points. Make that 0/9 …

Here’s more on De Minaur’s win:

Djokovic 6-1, 2-2 Cerundolo*

Djokovic, trying to shorten the points, hits an ace for 30-all. He’s skipping gingerly between points, trying to test out his leg. It stands up to a long exchange on the next point, as Cerundolo eventually flashes wide. 40-30. Deuce. And Djokovic, still moving cautiously, gives Cerundolo a break point. Djokovic dispatches a winning volley. Deuce. Advantage Cerundolo. A second break point comes and goes. And from there Djokovic squeezes through to hold.

“I don’t know, it just happened now,” Djokovic says to the trainer of his injury. It’s his right leg. John McEnroe says on the Eurosport commentary that he believes this is a direct result of Djokovic’s unhealthily late finish yesterday. The problem is around his knee/calf. After a treatment he takes a pill from the trainer. Let’s hope that kicks in soon.

Djokovic* 6-1, 1-2 Cerundolo

Djokovic isn’t just playing for his 25th grand slam and fourth French Open title, he’s also in a fight to keep his world No1 ranking. He has to reach the semi-finals – otherwise he’ll surrender his position to Jannik Sinner. But if Sinner reaches the final, the Italian will be assured of the ranking even if Djokovic wins the title. Probably permutations not at the forefront of Djokovic’s mind right now, though, as he holds his leg and looks in discomfort. It’s not clear if he’s pulled something or if his leg is cramping. The trainer is on…

Proof of De Minaur’s magnifique French:

Djokovic wins the first set 6-1

Djokovic, serving for the set, has two set points at 40-15. He takes neither. He blinks on the third at his advantage too. And look here, Cerundolo now has the chance to break. Djokovic plays a one-two straight out of the tennis handbook to bring it back to deuce. This is the longest game of the match so far, and Cerundolo has a second break point. Djokovic saves this one by moving into the court and ripping a forehand winner down the line. Deuce. Advantage Djokovic, set point No4. And he finishes the set with a flourish, with a cute touch at the net. The set is his in 40 minutes – he’ll be keen to get this done as quickly as possible after his four and a half hours on court in the previous round.

Djokovic* 5-1 Cerundolo

Most players in Djokovic’s position would probably still be mainlining coffee at the changeover after that record late finish yesterday, but not the Serb. His body is a temple and he won’t touch the stuff. That adversity was the latest to hit Djokovic this season… no titles, no finals, his split with coach Goran Ivanisevic, his bizarre head injury in Rome and defeats against a number of players he would not have lost to before this season. But no drama here so far – another break and it’s 5-1.

Djokovic 4-1 Cerundolo*

Djokovic still looks a little grumpy in the next game, but a cross-court forehand winner on the run will hopefully cheer him up. And from 40-15 he holds. Three games in a row and the defending champion has assumed early control in this match.

Djokovic* 3-1 Cerundolo

As for Djokovic, so far he’s not showing any ill-effects from his 3.07am finish yesterday, as he breaks in game four against the Argentinian 23rd seed. Djokovic is chuntering to himself and his box at the end of the game though, I’m not sure what’s bothering him.

De Minaur will play the winner of the night match between Alex Zverev and Holger Rune.

De Minaur is interviewed on court. He speaks French too! Is there no end to his talents? He definitely gets bonus points from the crowd for that:

I didn’t expect to the in the quarter-finals here, I didn’t play very well on the clay the past few years. Against Daniil it’s always very tactical, we both defend well, but I’m so happy to have won today.

De Minaur beats Medvedev 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3!

More on Djokovic shortly, because he’s just getting under way on Philippe Chatrier against Francisco Cerundolo, but first to Suzanne Lenglen where De Minaur has claimed what could be a decisive break in his match: at 3-3, break point, in the fourth set, Medvedev throws in a high ball and De Minaur leaps into the air to put the forehand away. He then consolidates the break! It’s De Minaur 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 5-3 Medvedev and Medvedev must serve to stay in the match!

I can’t understand why Gauff has been scheduled to play during what will be the middle of the night in the US. Meanwhile look who Jabeur’s been hanging out with today before that quarter-final:

Tomorrow’s order of play

Katy has returned and will take you through the rest of this game. Will Medvedev manage to take it to five sets? And coming up is Novak Djokovic on Court Philippe-Chartier, so stay tuned. Thanks for joining me!

De Minaur 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 2-3 Medvedev* (*denotes server) A lob from De Minaur does not make it in the lines and after an ace from the Russian he goes up 40-0.

He drops a point but then a sneaky forehand to win the game.

*De Minaur 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 2-2 Medvedev (*denotes server) It is all square again. De Minaur is visibly bouncing around, trying to shake the nerves and while Medvedev has looked better, he still seems to be in pain. De Minaur is making him move around, and the Russian nets a couple shots.

De Minaur 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-2 Medvedev* (*denotes server) De Minaur hits two backhand slices in a row but they are no problem for Medvedev and his third slice goes out, making it 30-15 for Medvedev. The Russian then double faults to make it 30-all but quickly makes up for it before hitting an ace. At first, it is called out, but De Minaur confirms that it was in and the Russian goes up in the fourth set.

*De Minaur 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-1 Medvedev (*denotes server) Medvedev takes a 40-15 lead after a very patient rally with 30 shots (!) after the Australian misses a forehand crosscourt. The crowd starts to get excited and the world No 5 takes the game after his opponent again misses a forehand, it going wide at the baseline.

De Minaur 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-0 Medvedev* (*denotes server) Break! The Russian is back on the court but he hits two long serves and one long forehand to lose the first game.

De Minaur has dropped just three games since the second set.

De Minaur takes the third set 6-1 against Medvedev

De Minaur 4-6, 6-2, 5-1 Medvedev* (*denotes server) Break! De Minaur’s forehand is so effective. He takes that game with ease, again. Medvedev’s team is urging him on but he is struggling to move on the court.