Novak Djokovic vs Jaume Munar is one of the picks of today’s action on day four of the French Open.
The Serbian edged a narrow 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, victory over Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva on Monday to book his spot in the second round.
2014 junior Roland Garros finalist Munar stands in the 31-year-old’s way this afternoon.
Fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal hasn’t given Munar, ranked No 155 in the world rankings, much chance of progressing past Djokovic though.
Quizzed on the youngster’s chances of victory against Djokovic, the world No 1 said: “It’s going to be very hard, very tough. The chances of winning are practically nil.
“You have to accept that the match is going to be practically impossible to win. But you don’t know what can happen, of course.”
Djokovic – the 2016 champion at Roland Garros and one of just two men to beat Nadal in the 10-time winner’s 82 matches in Paris – is in improved form with four wins in his last five after making the semi-finals of the Italian Open.
Novak Djokovic vs Jaume Munar: LIVE French Open (* denotes on serve)
Novak Djokovic 7-6 4-5 *Jaume Munar
Is that the turning point? Djokovic is beginning to dominate the rallies now and breaks Munar at a crucial stage.
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 4-4 Jaume Munar
A 21-shot rally puts Djokovic 40-30 up that takes a lot out of both. The Serb composes himself to hold serve.
Novak Djokovic 7-6 3-4 *Jaume Munar
Djokovic doesn’t take that into the next game though. Easiest hold of the match for Munar.
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 3-3 Jaume Munar
A sharp return from Munar almost has Djokovic on the floor again at 15-15. With the scores at deuce, Djokovic turns the pace of the game up a little to hold.
Novak Djokovic 7-6 2-3 *Jaume Munar
Brutal from Munar as his shot is so hard Djokovic is almost knocked off his feet trying to return it. Munar goes 3-2 up.
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 2-2 Jaume Munar
At 30-30, Munar shows his athleticism, jumping to meet Djokovic’s shot mid-air at the net, to go to break point.
Djokovic is then drawn in with a drop shot he can’t return and Munar responds.
Novak Djokovic 7-6 2-1 *Jaume Munar
Now it’s Munar showing some signs of frustration. Djokovic has three break points and doesn’t waste anytime snapping them up. Munar is broken.
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 1-1 Jaume Munar
The crowd likes that one. Djokovic pulls off a sweet drop shot to hold serve.
Novak Djokovic 7-6 0-1 *Jaume Munar
Munar goes 40-15 up looking to come out of the blocks quickest in the second set. Djokovic gets him back to deuce but the Spaniard eventually holds.
Novak Djokovic 7-6 Jaume Munar – DJOKOVIC WINS FIRST SET
Djokovic takes the first six points, toying with Munar on the fourth as the Spaniard hopelessly chased his fierce shots.
Up until now there hasn’t been much separating the pair but a stunning forehand on the sixth point shows Djokovic’s class.
Munar grabs one back but it’s too little, too late as Djokovic takes it 7-1.
Novak Djokovic 6-6 *Jaume Munar
Munar goes 40-15 up and there’s no reaction from Djokovic. He’ll need to show a bit of fight in the tie-break because Munar isn’t letting up in the slightest.
*Novak Djokovic 6-5 Jaume Munar
He may look a little deflated but he’s not playing like it. Easy stuff from the Serb as he goes to within one game of the first set.
Novak Djokovic 5-5 *Jaume Munar
Munar looks to be building some momentum and wins the rally of the match to take the 10th game.
The sun’s coming out but Djokovic looks a little deflated after that rally.
*Novak Djokovic 5-4 Jaume Munar
Munar gets two break points and Djokovic is made to work to save the first one but he can’t deny him the second.
Munar looks over to his coaching staff for their approval. That was a big game for the world No 155.
Novak Djokovic 5-3 *Jaume Munar
Holds his nerve and his serve. But can he break Djokovic to keep himself in the first set.
*Novak Djokovic 5-2 Jaume Munar
A rocket of a first serve puts Djokovic 40-30 up before Munar gifts him the game with his shot going long of the baseline.
Novak Djokovic 4-2 *Jaume Munar
Much better from Munar, especially from the back of the court. A few long rallies will give the Spaniard some confidence.
*Novak Djokovic 4-1 Jaume Munar
Djokovic provides a mixture of forehand and backhand shots to comfortbaly to hold serve.
Novak Djokovic 3-1 *Jaume Munar
Munar goes two points up before Djokovic levels. After going to deuce, the Spaniard looks to hold but Djokovic breaks.
*Novak Djokovic 2-1 Jaume Munar
We have a hold of serve! Some neat footwork around the court sees the Serb take the third game.
Novak Djokovic 1-1 *Jaume Munar
A fierce forehand down the line puts Djokovic 15-30 up before he earns two break points, to which he converts at the first attempt.
*Novak Djokovic 0-1 Jaume Munar
We’re up and running on a cloudy Suzanne-Lenglen court as Djokovic loses the first point on his serve.
Munar even finds himself on break point and takes it at the first attempt. That’s not what the Serbian had planned.
