Alexander Zverev survived a big scare in an evening marathon at the French Open as more rain delays kept defending champion Novak Djokovic waiting in the Roland Garros locker room before a potential milestone.
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Zverev provided the drama on Court Philippe Chatrier as the German fourth seed was dragged into a battle by Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor before prevailing 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-6 (10-3).
The German fourth seed was on the brink of a shock exit after falling a break down in the final set against Dutch world No.26.
He cut a frustrated figure as he argued with umpire Marijana Veljovic over a line call after Griekspoor secured the break with a volley.
But Zverev hit back to force a deciding set tie-break and finished with an ace. It was Zverev's first match since a trial over domestic abuse allegations against him, which he denies, opened in Berlin on Friday.
"I always struggle against him. I don't like to play against him but all the credit to him for taking it all the way," Zverev said after avoiding what would have been his earliest loss in Paris since a first-round exit in 2017.
"Incredible player and fighter until the end. The atmosphere today was unbelievable. I loved every second of it," he added.
With Grigor Dimitrov's match against Zizou Bergs shifted to the main showcourt, Djokovic had to twiddle his thumbs ahead of his clash with Lorenzo Musetti, where the Serbian will target a 369th Grand Slam match win to equal Roger Federer atop the all-time list.
Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev wore a pair of black leggings as he won a tight third-round match against Tomas Machac.
The Russian fifth seed sported the long-legged Lycra under his shorts and socks in a bid to ward off the chilly Paris temperatures.
He soon warmed to his task, though, wrapping up a 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 1-6 6-4 victory on Court Suzanne Lenglen to reach the fourth round.
Machac, who by contrast was wearing probably the skimpiest shorts in tennis, did come up with one spectacular piece of improvisation.
A right-handed player, he switched to play two left-handed forehands in a row to secure a break of the Medvedev serve.
Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime caused a surprise when he upset American hotshot Ben Shelton.
In a match badly affected by the rain, Auger-Aliassime finished off 15th seed Shelton under the roof on Court Suzanne Lenglen, winning 6-4 6-2 6-1,
Auger-Aliassime, once six in the world but now seeded 21, will face Carlos Alcaraz in round four.
Australian Associated Press
