Djokovic beats Mpetshi Perricard in Roland Garros 2025 opener, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4
Synopsis
Djokovic's Roland Garros 2025 opener was no formality — Mpetshi Perricard became the first Frenchman to take a set off him in Paris in 14 years. But the Serb's 17-shot rally to save a fourth set point in the second set was the turning point, and from there, it was vintage Djokovic. At 82 Grand Slam appearances and counting, the records keep coming.
Key Takeaways
Novak Djokovic defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 in the Roland Garros 2025 first round on 25 May in Paris .
The win was Djokovic's 82nd Grand Slam main draw appearance, a new solo record surpassing Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez .
Djokovic is now 80-2 in Grand Slam opening matches and has not lost a first-round major match since the 2006 Australian Open .
He is 22-0 in Roland Garros first-round matches — the most by any man without a loss in the Open era.
Perricard became the first French player to win a set against Djokovic in Paris in 14 years .
Djokovic next faces Valentin Royer in the second round, where his all-time record against French players in Paris stands at 13-0 .
Novak Djokovic opened his Roland Garros 2025 campaign with a hard-fought four-set victory over Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, winning 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 on 25 May in Paris. The Serbian champion rallied from a set down to advance to the second round in 2 hours 51 minutes, extending his extraordinary record on the Parisian clay.
A Record-Breaking Appearance
The victory came on a landmark occasion — Djokovic's 82nd Grand Slam main draw appearance, surpassing the record he had previously shared with Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez. The win also improved his overall Grand Slam opening-match record to an extraordinary 80-2. Djokovic has not lost a first-round match at a major since the 2006 Australian Open, a run spanning nearly two decades.
Dominant Clay-Court History
On the terre battue of Roland Garros specifically, Djokovic's record borders on the surreal. He is now 22-0 in first-round matches at the French Open — the most opening-round wins without a defeat by any man in the Open era. He also extended his flawless record against French players in Paris to 13-0 all-time, with Mpetshi Perricard becoming the latest compatriot unable to halt the streak.
How the Match Unfolded
Djokovic faced a genuine threat in the opening set. The big-serving Perricard, making his first career meeting with the Serb, produced a serve that offered virtually no entry points — Djokovic failed to earn a single break point in the first set. A break by the home favourite at 5-5 proved decisive, making Perricard the first French player to win a set against Djokovic in Paris in 14 years.
The second set was similarly tense. Djokovic went 0-for-9 on break points through nearly 12 completed games. Perricard saved three set points at 5-6 with aces before a fourth arrived — and this time there was no escape. Djokovic returned the delivery and won a 17-shot rally, levelling the match. The pivotal point featured a delicate drop shot from Djokovic; Perricard raced in admirably but pushed his forehand passing attempt just wide.
Floodgates Open in Sets Three and Four
Once level, Djokovic's class proved overwhelming. He broke serve three more times across the third and fourth sets, conceding just five games in the process. The final scoreline of 6-1, 6-4 in those sets reflected a player who had solved the Perricard puzzle and executed with clinical efficiency.
What Comes Next
Djokovic will next face compatriot — and fellow Frenchman — Valentin Royer in the second round, where he will look to extend his 13-0 record against French players on Parisian soil. A deep run at Roland Garros would further cement his status as the sport's all-time Grand Slam record holder.
Point of View
And Djokovic going 0-for-9 on break points through the second set is not a number that should be glossed over. The story here is not just the win — it is that a 37-year-old Djokovic, carrying the weight of record appearances and expectations, found a way when the margin was razor-thin. The 17-shot rally that broke the deadlock was not luck; it was pattern recognition built over two decades. What the mainstream coverage underplays is the 14-year gap since a Frenchman last won a set against him here — Perricard's achievement is a footnote today, but it signals that the era of Djokovic coasting through Paris openers may be narrowing.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Djokovic vs Mpetshi Perricard at Roland Garros 2025?
Novak Djokovic defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of Roland Garros 2025 on 25 May in Paris. The match lasted 2 hours 51 minutes.
What record did Djokovic break at Roland Garros 2025?
Djokovic made his 82nd Grand Slam main draw appearance, setting a new solo record previously shared with Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez. He is now 80-2 in first-round Grand Slam matches.
When did Djokovic last lose a first-round Grand Slam match?
Djokovic last lost an opening-round match at a major at the 2006 Australian Open. He has won every first-round match at a Grand Slam since then, a run of nearly two decades.
Who does Djokovic play next at Roland Garros 2025?
Djokovic will face Frenchman Valentin Royer in the second round. He enters that match with a 13-0 all-time record against French players in Paris.
Why was the second set so significant in the Djokovic vs Perricard match?
Djokovic was 0-for-9 on break points through nearly 12 games of the second set, with Perricard saving three set points with aces at 5-6. Djokovic finally converted the fourth set point by winning a 17-shot rally, turning the match in his favour and triggering a dominant run through the third and fourth sets.
