Novak Djokovic has survived a trial by monster serving, gradually defusing the startling power of local hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to launch his bid for a landmark 25th grand slam triumph at the French Open with a resilient victory - and then a jig of delight.
The quest for the record-breaking triumph looked firmly back on at Roland Garros on Sunday night as Djokovic, despite having had just one match, a defeat, since March while nursing a shoulder injury, shook off the ring rust to prove too accomplished for the giant Frenchman despite surrendering the opening set.
Perricard, the 201cm world No.83, has arguably the biggest serve on the circuit and there was a whiff of a massive upset in the humid evening air on Court Philippe Chatrier as he became the first man since Evgeny Korolev in 2010 to take a set off Djokovic in the first round at Roland Garros.
