Tennis-Djokovic battles past French hope Royer to reach third round

PARIS, May 27 (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic overcame some stiff resistance from home player Valentin Royer to move into the third round of the French Open with a 6-3 6-2 6-7(7) 6-3 victory on Wednesday.

The Serbian third seed, eying a history-making 25th Grand Slam title at the age of 39, was precision personified as he breezed through the opening two sets on another sweltering day on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Djokovic was in control of the third set too as he moved a break of serve ahead but was dragged into a fierce scrap as 24-year-old Royer began to make his mark with some heavy hitting.

Royer saved a match point in the third-set tiebreak and then pounced to extend the contest to the delight of the crowd.

There were signs of irritation as Djokovic railed at his coaching box but he was soon back in the groove to forge 4-1 ahead in the fourth set as the shadows lengthened.

The three-time French Open champion, making his record-equalling 22nd appearance in the main draw, suffered a wobble when serving for the match at 5-3, letting three match points slip by and saving a break point before sealing the win.

He becomes only the fourth man in the professional era to reach the third round in Paris after his 39th birthday but will have his eyes set on a much deeper run.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)