No match in the tournament staged since 1891 has finished so late. In addition, it was the title holder’s 369th victory in a Grand Slam and the 37-year-old equaled Roger Federer’s record after winning in the third round.
– I was in real trouble and all credit to Lorenzo for making me uncomfortable on court and playing great tennis. Very high level. At one point I didn’t really know what to do, says Djokovic according to AP.
Djokovic looked out of sorts several times and took every opportunity to rest out on the court and was cautioned for it.
Criticism of the schedule
World number one Djokovic found it difficult to adapt to the chilly conditions and heavy gravel and not least the timing. The match got underway two hours after the expected start time of 10.30pm and Djokovic criticized the schedule which he thinks could have been handled better.
– Who enters duels with more than 20 strokes over the net at two in the morning? asks Djokovic, who must reach the final of the tournament to maintain his position as world number one. Otherwise, it goes to 22-year-old Musetti’s compatriot Jannik Sinner.