With more than four hours on the clock, Djokovic struck first in the fifth set. The 37-year-old was breathing heavily after points and doubled over as he secured the break with an error from Musetti. But he finally had the lead for the first time since the second set and kept on rolling, earning a double-break when the Italian’s ball hit the tape.

Djokovic was still gasping for air after the long exchanges. But he found himself two games from an epic comeback victory. He was then given his second time violation of the night, meaning he automatically played a second serve. But neither man agreed with the decision and Djokovic approached the umpire. “In the rules you did the right thing but have a little bit of understanding of what we are going through right now at 4am,” he said.

The top seed was dragged into a deuce game but he came out unscathed and was in touching distance of the fourth round at 5-0. It was now past 3am and the DJ paid homage to the three-time French Open winner, who was once again on the cusp of an incredible win, playing We Are The Champions as the few thousand fans left in the stands sang along.