Three-time champion Novak Djokovic battled past Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) in a match that lasted more than three hours on Thursday, to reach the French Open third round and stay on track for a record-breaking 25th career Grand Slam title.
Moutet pushed the 38-year-old, who shares the Slam record with Australia's Margaret Court, especially in the third set where he carved out a set point.
"Mentally you have to be concentrated throughout such a match. Corentin is very quick, he is a fighter, especially in the third set," Djokovic said in a post-match interview.
"He had set point. At that moment anything could happen but I stayed in the set. At the right time I found a good serve.
"I know everyone asks me the secrets of success. It is not one thing but a combination, a formula that evolved with my career. For me now it is important to find the motivation. Obviously motivation now is to make more history."
Moutet broke the Serb, fresh from winning in Geneva last week for his 100th ATP Tour title of his career, early in the first set but Djokovic bounced back with two breaks of his own to snatch it.
He was at times troubled by the southpaw who slid, lunged and chased down every ball he could in his trademark style, to try and stay in the game, as the sold-out home crowd in Court Philippe Chatrier fired him on.
Djokovic, who looks to have found his form after splitting with coach Andy Murray a few weeks ago, snatched another two breaks to go 5-2 up and bagged the second set on his serve.
Moutet, ranked 73rd in the world, managed to break his opponent's serve and go 4-2 up after Djokovic took a medical timeout for treatment on the toes of his left foot.
But he gifted it back the very next game before earning a set point at 6-5. Djokovic held firm and secured his third round spot with a commanding tiebreak performance.
He will next face either Canada's Denis Shapovalov or Austrian Filip Misolic in round three.
Star attraction Fonseca weathers noise level
Rising star Joao Fonseca lit up the crowds at the French Open on Thursday, beating local hope Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach the third round, as the fans' decibel level matched the Brazilian teenager's rapidly rising star status.
The 18-year-old, arguably the most exciting prospect in the men's game who draws crowds like few others wherever he plays, lived up to the hype, as French and Brazilian fans battled it out in the stands for vocal supremacy in a seesawing clash.
Fonseca needed some time to find his footing and the pair traded two breaks apiece before going into a first set tiebreak.
The teenager, seen by many as a potential future Grand Slam champion, got the upper hand with a mini break early on and bagged the tiebreak with a thundering ace.
In a packed Court 14 with standing room only, the raucous French crowd threw their support behind Herbert, with the Brazilian fans, clad in yellow national soccer team shirts and waving Brazilian flags, clearly outnumbered but far from silenced.
They had already made their samba-tinged presence felt in his first round win earlier this week and at every changeover songs, chants and cheers filled the court.
"Sometimes I feel goosebumps when the people are shouting or I make a good point and they call my name," Fonseca told a press conference. "It's just super nice. It's a vibe that I can't explain.
"After the match, I just can't talk because they shout so loud, they make a lot of noise. So it's just super cool. It's an amazing vibe."
Fonseca doubled his lead after another tight set and raised his level a few notches in the third set to complete the victory before sharing a warm embrace with his opponent and soaking up the cheers from his fans.
He then distributed his towels and sweatbands and took selfies with fans eager for early souvenirs from a player who reached the third round of a major for the first time but has the world at his feet.
"Going to the third round. It was really a dream," Fonseca said. "After that, I saw my grandmother entering the court. She was crying. So it's really nice, and it's my mom's birthday, so it makes it more special."
Court 14, one of the outside ones, was far too small for the hundreds of spectators queuing outside, desperate to catch a glimpse of the teenage sensation.
Officials are almost certain to assign a much larger court in the next round where he will either face world number five Jack Draper or local favourite Gael Monfils.
Sinner sends Gasquet into retirement
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner sent Frenchman Richard Gasquet into retirement with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 hammering in the battle of generations at the French Open on Thursday to ease into the third round.
It was the second time in as many years in Paris that the 23-year-old beat local hero Gasquet, who said he would end his career that started over two decades ago and yielded 16 tour-level singles titles after his home Grand Slam.
With his team watching on in matching white T-shirts that read "Merci Richard" the 38-year-old soaked up his ovation and video messages from peers including Novak Djokovic and the recently retired Rafa Nadal on the big screen.
"I'd like to thank Jannik for his kindness and the player that he is and I know he'll have a great career." Gasquet said.
"I have great memories with all of you. You all supported me in defeat and victory ... I began playing in a club in the south and travelled and played across France. So I remember all the tournaments I played in, not just Roland Garros.
"We always had a welcome here that was extraordinary. I'd like to thank the federation. Tennis finishes for me today."
Gasquet, who made his French Open debut in 2002 when top seed Sinner was still in a crib, drew huge roars from the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd when he unleashed his single-handed backhand on the Italian early in the match.
Fans were slightly more subdued when Sinner raced ahead 4-1 and won the opening set, before they were almost silenced when he dished out a bagel in the next set to leave Gasquet with a mountain to climb.
Sinner faced more resistance in the first eight games of the next set as Gasquet mounted an unlikely comeback attempt, but he broke for a 5-4 lead and promptly closed out the match, before paying tribute to his opponent.
"We have a good relationship off the court. We're different generations, but it's your moment," Sinner said.
"Congrats to your family, your team. Without great people around each player, it's impossible to make such an incredible career. You played in such an incredible era of tennis and everyone will recognise you, even after your retirement."
Victory ensured US and Australian Open champion Sinner became the first man born in 1990 or later to record 16 straight wins at Grand Slams. He will next play Czech Jiri Lehecka.
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