India, May 30 -- As the match entered its final stages, there were plenty of smiles. Novak Djokovic, who turned 39 last week, was deep behind the forehand side of his baseline when he had to make a diagonal sprint forward to get to a drop shot. He got there, composed himself, and then slammed a crosscourt backhand winner. Then he smiled, and with both arms raised, egged on the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier for more cheer.

A few minutes later, Joao Fonseca would chase a drop shot himself, get there and play a forehand winner down the line. More smiles from both ends of the court.

When the match clock read four hours and 53 minutes, Djokovic and Fonseca would embrace at the net amidst another flurry of smiles. The riveting encounter pr...