Novak Djokovic was forced to battle back in a dramatic deciding set to overcome the spirited challenge of Gilles Simon at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The Serbian, who has recently recovered from a lingering right elbow injury, took the first set before the Frenchman took the next to send the match into a decider.
Monaco resident Djokovic, the 2013 and 2015 champion, was broken at 4-4 in the decider but then reeled off three straight games to snatch a 6-3 3-6 7-5 victory over the world No 32 Simon in two hours and 30 minutes.
He will play the winner of the match between Russia’s Karen Khachanov or Pablo Carreno Busta from Spain in the third round.
“It was a very difficult match, with many changes of momentum,” Djokovic said. “It was very tiring for me, the first clay of the season.
“But this is the start of the Roland Garros build-up.”
David Goffin made it safely through into the third round after beating Spain’s Nicolas Almagro. The 10th seed sailed through 7-5 6-1 in 70 minutes.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
