Rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca rallied from two sets down to eliminate record 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in five sets on Friday evening.
The third-seeded Serb and three-time French Open titlist lost after holding a two-set lead 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 5-7. The match lasted four hours and 53 minutes.
Djokovic won the first two sets over the 19-year-old, and it looked like he would cruise to a victory. However, Fonseca started to claw his way back into the match. He managed to level the contest and forced a decider.
Though Nole at times appeared to be struggling physically between points, he quickly carved out an early 3-1 lead in the fifth set. His rival broke back immediately and converted another chance in the 11th game before serving it out to seal the win.
Match statistics: aces (8-11), double faults (1-1), winners (70-68), unforced errors (39-47), total points won (167-164).
Photo: Profimedia
