French Open : Djokovic fights injury to win 5 set epic , Medvedev crashes out

 Defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame a tough challenge from Argentine Francisco Cerundolo in Paris on Monday, securing a hard-fought 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open.

Despite dealing with a knee issue during the match, Djokovic managed to recover and achieve this significant win.

The Serbian star, aiming for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, claimed his 370th match victory at the majors, surpassing Swiss great Roger Federer.

However, Djokovic's inconsistent performance in this match might offer encouragement to his title rivals.

Though he started strong, Djokovic faced difficulties throughout the match, particularly with his knee, which required on-court treatment.

Cerundolo capitalized on Djokovic's vulnerabilities in the middle sets to get a stranglehold in the match but Djokovic showed immense willpower and warrior mentality to shrug off his knee injury and scripted an epic win from 2-1 sets down against all odds at 37 to stun the fans in a 4 hour plus contest .

Meanwhile, French Open witnessed big upset on start of week two .  Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed, was eliminated in the mens' category.  The Russian lost to 11th seed Alex D'Minaur.  However, Jannick Sinner, the second seed, reached the quarter-finals in a four-set fight.  Arnya Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina won in the ladies category.

 D'Minaur became the first player from Australia to reach the last eight of the French Open in 20 years.  The last time this was done was Lleyton Hewitt.  Medvedev suffered a leg problem during the match.  In the end, he lost to D'minaur 6-4, 2-6, 1-6, 3-6.

 Medvedev has lost just twice in his last eight meetings against D'Minaur.  He broke in the third game and pocketed the first set.  Proceeded well to the second set as well.  But as time progressed, he lost his rhythm in the game.  D'Minaur took a 5-1 lead at one point in the third set.  He also won the set.  He also won the fourth set and confirmed his spot in the quarter finals.

 Sinner had to lose in the first set.  He lost 2-6 against France's Kohta Mutet.  Being a local boy, the support was towards Mutet.  But Sinner did not take time to turn around.  He won the next three sets in clinical style 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

 World number four Rybakina is becoming a contender to win the French Open this time.  On Monday, she defeated Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-3.  She reached the quarter-finals of the French Open for the second time.  Both players lost serve at the start.  But Rybakina gradually improved her game.  She also won the set.

 Rybakina was unstoppable in the second set.  Svitolina, on the other hand, couldn't put up a fight.  On the contrary, from the beginning of the second set, a lot of fatigue can be seen in her game.  At this opportunity Rybakina started to play a more fearless game.  Finally won the set and the match in style.

 Second seed Sabalenka defeated American Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-3.  Sabalenka took just over an hour to win.  She held herself in good stead in the race to win the title for the first time in Paris.