Novak Djokovic place in the fourth round of the French Open leftovers in the balance after his match next to Juan Martin Del Potro is to be completed on Saturday. The tie surely lived up to its billing as the most delicious of the round, with the pair distribution the first two sets, but unluckily that billing saw it listed last on Court Philippe Chatrier on Friday.
Unavoidably the three earlier matches were all lengthy relations and, although the match was moved to Court Suzanne Lenglen, they were not able to start until after 7.30pm local time. That meant the chances of final it were remote at best, and it quickly became obvious this was not going to be a one-sided affair.
Djokovic is seem for a 42nd-consecutive win but could think him unlucky to face an opponent as talented as Del Potro at such an early stage of the contest. A serious wrist injury ruled the former US Open winner out for much of last year and, though he has shown hopeful form this year, his ranking has only scale as far as 26th.
After both players had missed probability to break immediately, Djokovic took his chance in the fourth game and went on to settle the set 6-3. Bizarrely, the opening set over amid much jeering, not from the people in the stands but from the many hundreds exterior who were battling to get in.
Djokovic was in concert the sort of tennis that has made him arguably the man to beat here but Del Potro had played himself into the match and a double-fault from the next seed gave him a smash for 3-1 in the second set.
The Serb piled on the force, missing break points in the fifth game and then moving to 15-40 with Del Potro serving for the set. But the 22-year-old promptly sent down two aces before two more big serves settle it 6-3. There was still enough light to start a third set but, with no chance of the match being finished, the sensible decision was made to hang play and recommence on Saturday afternoon.