Djokovic started sluggishly, but prevented an upset with a comeback victory

Novak Djokovic, who set a record with his 82nd Grand Slam appearance, secured the victory after a comeback — 5:7, 7:5, 6:1, 6:4.

It took Novak some time to figure out a way to handle the towering Frenchman, who possesses a devastating serve.

The opening set moved along rather quickly, with both players comfortably holding serve until the 12th game.

That was when Giovanni Petshi Perricard kept threatening in a lengthy game, repeatedly missing break-point opportunities. However, on his fourth chance, he unleashed a forehand down the line to clinch the first set.

The second set followed a similar pattern, although Novak gradually raised his level and began creating break-point chances more easily.

His conversion rate was poor, however, and he finally capitalized on his 10th break opportunity in the 12th game to level the match.

That setback appeared to break the Frenchman, who looked discouraged and somewhat fatigued at the start of the third set. Novak Djokovic took advantage, earning an early break and quickly racing to a 3–0 lead.

Novak did not stop there, breaking Giovanni Petshi Perricard once again, as the Frenchman was already struggling with pain in his right thumb as well as visible fatigue.

Djokovic broke Perricard again at the beginning of the fourth set, though only temporarily, as the Frenchman took advantage of several gifts to break back immediately. Still, Djokovic earned the decisive break in the seventh game and closed out the match.

His next opponent will be another Frenchman, Valentin Royer, who defeated Hugo Dellien.