Novak Djokovic fought off a sudden knee injury and an upset-minded opponent to squeeze into the French Open quarter-finals 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 over Francisco Cerundolo on Monday at the French Open.

The top-seed won his second straight five-set match after going until  3 a.m. in the previous round over Lorenzo Musetti..

The three-time champion who is fighting for his No. 1 ranking against young gun Jannik Sinner will now need to rely on the fitness gods after barely surviving the test against Argentine Cerundolo which took more than four and a half hours.

After taking Sunday off and relaxing briefly in a local park with a quick game of petanque (bowls), the 37-year-old went straight to work against the 27th-ranked Cerundolo.

Djokovic swept the opening set but got involved with the supervisor after several visits from the physio for  right knee problem

The Serb complained about the surface of the clay to no avail and grudgingly played on. “I screwed up my knee. I’m slipping and sliding all the time,” he said.

Treatment on the problem included six-minutes of off-court treatment, a session at his player bench and several other brief consultations and application of ointment.

The set stayed on serve until Cerundolo finally converted on his 13th break point, levelling at a set each as Djokovic drove a return wide after two hours of play, 7-5.

Cerundolo led two sets to one with Djokovic down a break in the fourth set before the 24-time Grand Slam winner began to turn it around in his favour.

Djokovic turned on the afterburners in the closing stages to finally dismiss the upset challenge as he saved 15 of 19 break points.

“This is your victory,” he told the Chatrier court crowd. “I had a lot of support tonight.

“I had many chances to lose this match today, Cerundolo was playing high quality.

“But somehow I found a way to win, and I don’t know how.”

Djokovic will clash in the last eight against two-time Paris finalist Casper Ruud, who defeated Taylor Fritz in a 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 fourth-round struggle.

The Norwegian solidified his season lead in Tour in wins (39) as he reached his fourth Grand Slam quarter-final. 

The Ruud- Djoko showdown will be a repeat of the final here a year ago won by the Serb. But Ruud has hopes to change the next outcome.

“It’s gonna be a tough match with Novak. He’s one of the biggest challenges in our sport

“It will repeat the final here and I will hope to get my revenge.

“But I’m sure he will be fit and ready… I’ll try to make the semi-final.”

Alex de Minaur booked the first Paris quarter-final spot for an Aussie since Lleyton Hewitt 20 years ago as he stunned fifth seed Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-2,6-1, 6-3.

The 11th seed staged a comeback after dropping the first set as he put his clay-adverse opponent under pressure throughout.

The European-based de Minaur will play his second career quarter-final at a major after the US open five years ago.

The win over Medvedev was his first at a Grand Slam over a top five opponent from seven matches.

De Minaur has blossomed on clay this season, earning an April quarter-final in Monte Carlo after never going past the second round in Paris after losing seven of 10 matches.

“I’m pretty happy, not gonna lie,” he said, “It was a great match today. I fought till the end.

“I managed to beat a quality opponent in a Grand Slam fourth round, which is one of the goals that I had been setting for myself to go deeper at these events.

“I’m very proud of myself.”

The ATP No. 11 added: ” I always thought that for me to play well on the clay I needed hot, lively conditions. But know, this whole tournament has proven otherwise.

“It’s been a complete shock to the system, to everything I ever believed in.

“Looks like I’ve converted myself into a clay specialist.” he joked.

Medvedev, who has never hidden his inherent distaste for the surface and was treated mid-match for foot blisters, said he was out-gunned.

” Alex played better… to be honest, I’m disappointed to lose, but I don’t have anything to tell myself in a tough way.

I had a good attitude and was fighting to the end. He played

better. My best was not enough today, so I’m looking forward to the next ones.”

Main photo:- Close call! Umpire Aurelie Tort gives her ruling and Novak Djoovic wins fourth round match in five set thriller by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd