Immortal Djokovic topples a Musetti in a state of grace at Roland-Garros!

We said he was finished. He was said to have lost his motivation. There was already talk of an inevitable passing of the torch. But at 37, Novak Djokovic pulled off another miracle. Opposed to a gala Lorenzo Musetti, the world number 1 came back from nowhere to win in over 4 hours (7-5, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in 4h30).

It was without doubt the match of the fortnight, at least so far. Faced with a Musetti we never knew was capable of playing such prodigious tennis (55 winners, 34 unforced errors), Djokovic went through all the emotions. Jostled by a very powerful Italian from the baseline, excellent in defense and very skilful in the short game, the Serb seemed on course for a 3-set victory. Perfectly mastering the important points, he won the first act after almost an hour's play (7-5) before winning the second set tie-break two sets to nil.

Musetti may only be 22, but he's already grown up. Much more emotionally stable, the Italian diamond in the rough never gave up. Never missing a beat, he treated the audience to several absolutely Dantesque points. Winning the tie-break in the second set, Musetti even dominated the third. Playing wonderfully on both sides, he was destined to win the match. Given the level of tennis on offer, he deserved it. Djokovic had no solution, and Musetti was shining in the firmament.

However, buoyed by a public that suddenly turned around, the 'Djoker' rediscovered his very best tennis. Now absolutely unplayable, the Serb finally missed nothing more, even going 6-0 up in the final set.

The titleholder in Paris, he was back to a level of tennis that had probably never been seen before this year. Following his 3 a.m. victory, 'Nole' will now meet Cerundolo in the last 16.