Novak Djokovic beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the French Open final.French Open 2021 Men’s Final, Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas: Novak Djokovic won the French Open final 6-7(6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 against first-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas to clinch his 19th Major, 1 title away from Federer and Nadal’s world record. The world number one has also become the first man in the Open era, and third overall, to win all four Majors at least twice.
It was Tsitsipas who took the first set 7-6 (8-6) in a tie-break. Djokovic folded in the second set as Tsitsipas took the second set 6-2 in 31 minutes. Djokovic struck back to take the 3rd set 6-3 and the fourth 6-2 to take the final into a fifth set decider. He won the fifth set 6-4.
Djokovic, with his 19th Grand Slam title, is now 1 title away from Federer and Nadal's tally of 20 Grand Slams.
Novak Djokovic beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the French Open final.
A soft backhand error from Djokovic lets Tsitsipas come back level at 15-15. A bad error from Tsitsipas as the ball richochets into the sky off the rim of his racquet. The tension tells on Djokovic too, his first serve % deserts him, a back hand error. Gets himself to match point - the first match point - before Tsitsipas gets a running backhand to kiss the side line. Deuce! We go on! Djokovic pierces the open court with a forehand to get his 2nd match point. Clutch tennis!
Another piece of magic! 15-30 down, Djokovic hits a backhand drop shot which leaves Tsitsipas rooted at the baseline. No point running! Tsitsipas, 40-30 up, has an open court to hit a volley to... but hits the net lining. What pressure does! But he does manage to hold serve. Djokovic to serve at 5-4 next.
Some magical points from Djokovic - this is all fifth gear now - is followed by a hopelessly long backhand from Tsitsipas. And Djokovic again serves at 100% first serve to close out the game at love. Goes up 5-3. One game away from the 19th GS title. Tsitsipas serves to stay in the match at 3-5.
A mesmerising point on 3 hours 51 minutes. The two players dance around all court like a ballet on clay before Tsitsipas slots open an overhead shot into a court left open by a Djokovic diving to his left. A minute later, there is a howl of frustration from Djokovic. 'How!' he screames to the skies. Or was it the referee? We'll never know. Tsitsipas holds serve with a Djoker error. The Greek is holding on!
Djokovic holds serve without breaking a sweat, indicating he has this match by the scruff of its neck now. Tsitsipas isn't done though, crashes a series of shots from behind the baseline to hold serve himself. Djokovic executes 100% first serve as he closes out his serve game without breaking sweat again.
Every point is a mini-marathon at this stage as the Philippe Chatrier crowd cheers like it's Wembley! Djokovic holds serve and then takes takes the next game to deuce. Tsitsipas hits a backhand which kisses the long line, much to Djoker's disbelief. The Greek stumbles on the court as the Serb rushes to the court and disbalances his opponent with a feigned forehand. And it's Djokovic who breaks first in the 3rd set! It looked impossible when he was two sets down, but what's new with the world number 1!
A few monumental points to begin the fifth set! Seems like both players were conserving some energy in the 4th set, both have raised their games by at least a level each. Tsitsipas fights back to draw level on serve and fights back more break points to hold serve. Another big game! The Greek has held off the Serb in this galdiatorial battle, for now.
Djokovic holds serve again, before Tsitsipas seems not to want to waste too much energy in this set as Djokovic breaks (again!) at love. It's been less than half an hour and Djokovic is one game away from taking the 4th set. A 5th set is inevitable! Djokovic brings up set point and seals the deal in 33 minutes.
And here he is in full glory - the man who cannot miss. Djokovic enters unbeatable mode. Tsitsipas struggles to get a say in. The Serb holds serve. Then there are 2 sloppy misses from both players - like the 1-page comic relief scene in a 5-act tragedy. 'Tsitsipas, Tsitsipas', roars the crowd as there are a series of duels on the Greek's serve, before Djokovic does break again after a 12-minute game. Boom!
Long delay as there is a medical time-out before the 4th set. A ball-boy runs rings around Tsitsipas in his attempt to gather balls as the set starts. And Djokovic breaks first up in the 4th set as a backhand from the Greek goes long.
Tsitsipas, from 0-30 down, draws his energy from the crowd and wins a net point and then slams a forehand down the T-line to hold serve at 3-5. Now, Djoker serves for the 3rd set. Djoker goes up 30-0 again but then serves a double fault to lose ground. But he does hold serve to take the set 6-3
Djokovic mutters and throws his hands in despair as he tries to hold serve to go 5-2 up. Welcome back, old friend. It's Tsitsipas at the other end who comes up with a fresh reserve of energy though, rushing to the net to close out a point. Another marathon rally, won by Djokovic with a drop shot.
Tsitsipas has two sets under his belt, but Novak Djokovic leads 4-1 in the third now. Strap in for a long ride, folks! Could even be a Mahout-Isner sort of match on our hands today. Tsitsipas, who has thrown himself all around, showing his first signs of fatigue as he commits two double faults, but manages to hold serve from 40-30.
Tsitsipas gets the Greek section roaring again with a few sizzling returns. Djokovic smiles wryly. But does just enough to hold serve to go 2-1 up. And he comes up with a special in the next game. Break point for Djokovic. Some hope for the Serb. Tsitsipas saves five break points. Djokovic has fire in his eyes as he glares across the court. And finally .... finally breaks Tsitsipas.
A change of shirt. A change of shorts. And a change in his box with his coaches shifting position in the stands. Djokovic comes out of the tunnel and holds serve for the first time since being 2-4 down in the second set. Is this the change of momentum? Tsitsipas goes up 40-15 on serve, but Djokovic claws back with a cross-court forehand scorcher. Just as the Djokovic fans seem to find their voice, Tsitsipas comes to the net and closes out the second game.
Tsitsipas wins the second set in 31 minutes. Unbelievable scenes at Roland Garros. Djokovic folded in that set there. He goes down 2-6. The Greek is one set away from a Grand Slam title. Djokovic takes a time out. He goes inside the tunnel with kit in tow.
Djokovic holds serve for the first time in the set, before Tsitsipas takes the next game at love! The Greek goes up 4-2. We know Djokovic has eons of fightback left in the tank still, but is he now leaving it too late? And it's the Greek who brings up break point again! Could he go 5-2 up? He does!