FRENCH OPEN MEN’S SINGLES FINAL
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (NO 1) D. STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (NO 5) 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4
During the opening set, Djokovic took a nasty tumble near the net that was A scary moment. When he fell trying to retrieve a drop shot that zipped over at an awkward angle. During his sliding motion, the top seed hit a sponsored board near the net and tripped. That’s far from the first time this has happened this tournament, as the women’s champion did exactly the same thing on Saturday morning.
Djokovic was fortunate, as he had been with Krejcikova the day before, that he did not suffer any major injuries. However, he did scuff up a very stained shirt upon getting up and shaking himself off of the red clay.
As Tsitsipas stormed into a commanding lead with ferocious serving and remarkable athleticism, Djokovic appeared remarkably flat and devoid of energy throughout the opening two sets.
Tsitsipas was suddenly rattled at the beginning of the fourth set, and he appeared resigned to the undeniable recovery powers of his opponent.
In the fourth and fifth sets, Djokovic dropped just five games as he roared back into the match, and not only eroded Tsitsipas’ advantage, but completely changed the momentum.
Everyone knew that the Serb was now the overwhelming favorite to win the fifth and deciding set. Although the Greek did everything he could to resist this fact, it still went out that way as Djokovic claimed the match with his second match point.
“It was an electric atmosphere” an overjoyed Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “
I want to thank my coach and my physio, everyone who has been with me on this journey.
“I have played almost nine hours over the last 48 hours against two great champions, it was really tough physically over the last three days, but I trusted in my capabilities and knew I could do it.”
With this victory he not only gained second French open title but also usurped Nadal’s dominance in Paris.
But after overtaking the ‘King of Clay’, at least this year, on the Spaniard’s favourite court, Djokovic is now within one major title of his great rivals with Wimbledon just around the corner.
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