Novak Djokovic placed ice packs around his neck and on top of his head during changeovers to keep cool amid the Paris heatwave at the French Open.
The 39-year-old Djokovic was pushed by 74th-ranked French player Valentin Royer, who is 15 years younger than him, for more than three-and-a-half hours before he reached the third round with a 6-3 6-2 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 victory.
Djokovic said: "It was a very, very difficult match in difficult conditions. A big challenge for me. ... Experience helped me a lot."
When Djokovic won a key point early in the fourth set with a forehand that he whipped around the net post from far off the court, the 24-time Grand Slam champion waved his arms toward the crowd inside Court Philippe-Chatrier.
