Fonseca prevailed 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the five-set thriller and sent another title contender packing. It took Fonseca four hours and 53 minutes to get rid of the Serbian stalwart and further open up the race for the title.

Fonseca was just five points from defeat when serving at 3-4, 15/40 in the fourth set, but the 28th seed fended off those two break points and rode that momentum to force a decider.

Novak Djokovic congratulated Jaoa Fonseca. Photo: X/Sportstar

But even though the 39-year-old Djokovic quickly carved out a 3-1 lead in the fifth set, he clearly struggled physically at times.  Still, it was just the second time ever that Djokovic lost from two sets up.

In his on-court interview after the match, Fonseca admitted he didn’t really think he could win. “I just played, I just enjoyed being on court. What a pleasure it was, and what an idol we have. It’s a pleasure just stepping on the court against him. It’s my first time stepping on court against him, so just thanking him, and I’m very happy.

“I was not thinking about (the conditions changing). I was just trying to hit the ball as fast as I could. I mean, Djokovic, he just doesn’t miss. We still think he’s 20. At the end of the match, I think he was more fit than me, it’s crazy.”

Fonseca has also become the first teenager to defeat the Serbian at a Grand Slam event. Now into the fourth round at a major for the first time, the Brazilian will take on 15th seed Casper Ruud for a quarter-final spot in Paris.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg