By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, May 24, 2023

Problem-solving prowess offers Novak Djokovic the sting going the space in Paris.

Pointing to Djokovic's phenomenal five-set report, Hall of Famer and Tennis Channel analyst Jim Courier locations Djokovic as Roland Garros co-favorite alongside world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.

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"I thought Novak's health, to get to him, looked pretty good in Rome," Courier advised Tennis Now immediately in a convention name to advertise Tennis Channel's Roland Garros protection beginning Sunday, May twenty eighth at 5 a.m. Eastern time. "He didn't seem to have the sleeve on as much. He seemed to be fine with his serve numbers, his forehand numbers, backhand numbers. All looked normal.

"Didn't appear to be any enhance in velocity, which we noticed in Australia this 12 months when he was making an attempt to not must play protection to guard his leg concern. So I believe general his well being and confidence are trending in the precise path and finest of 5 simply offers all these supreme gamers extra time to problem-solve in the event that they run right into a sizzling participant."

Australian Open and Wimbledon winner Djokovic owns an outstanding 37-10 career record in five setters.

In recent years, Djokovic has shown strength and stamina going the distance in Paris.

A defiant Djokovic roared back from a two-set deficit tearing through 16 of the final 17 games to subdue a pained Lorenzo Musetti, who retired due to cramping and a back issue with the world No. 1 leading 6-7(7), 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0, in the 2021 fourth round.

Fighting back from two sets down for the first time in a Slam final, a determined Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 capturing his 19th major championship at the 2021 Roland Garros. 

Courier says the best-of-five-set format empowers Djokovic to go on the offensive or provides time to play the waiting game until an opponent's level dips as he's done in the past on dirt.

"It's simpler for them to attend them out, as Novak has executed in opposition to nice gamers up to now there, like Tsitsipas within the closing and with Stef a few years again when he gained the primary couple in opposition to Novak," Courier told Tennis Now. "Novak was by no means in peril of dropping that match.

"He just lost the first couple of sets. That has to give him great comfort, I would think, looking ahead."

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