Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic ran into a spot of bother at the French Open on Friday, dropping a set each and needing over three hours to reach the fourth round.
Third seed Agnieszka Radwanska was knocked out 6-4 6-4 by Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic, becoming the latest victim of a new generation of talent sweeping through the women’s draw but Maria Sharapova inflicted the first double bagel of the tournament to remain the big favourite.
Seventeen-times grand slam champion Roger Federer saw off Russian Dmitry Tursunov 7-5 6-7(7) 6-2-6-4 and Serbian second seed Djokovic, chasing the only grand slam title to elude him, beat Croatian Marin Cilic 6-3 6-2 6-7(2) 6-4.
“I am relieved and happy to be through to the next round,” said fourth seed Federer, who wasted 17 break points.
Tursunov, the 31st seed, played boldly but needed treatment on his leg in the third set and Federer set up a meeting with Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis, who is rediscovering his best form after a free fall down the rankings.
Djokovic, one of three men to have beaten eight-times Roland Garros champion Rafa Nadal on clay this season, showed signs of frustration against Cilic.
