Hello and welcome to Sportstar's HIGHLIGHTS of the French Open 2021 men's final between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas .
SCORE
In the league of his own, isn't he? Arguably, his greatest-ever Slam triumph. The Serbian fought off the greatest on Clay to mark this evening. Goes two-down to an admirable young heart who bared his heart out on the Parisian clay. Finds himself, picks himself up and essays another master-class to close an epic chapter in his career. The GOAT will continue to rage on forever, but Novak has raised his stakes with numbers and craftsmanship like very few before him and that included Federer and Nadal.
Heart goes out to the 22-year-old Tsitsipas. A dream Slam final debut it was when he stole the thunder by taking out Novak completely in the first two sets. Despite the fade away, one cannot reckon him a step down from the Big Serb tonight. Shine on, champ!
SET 5:
6:4 - HE HAS DONE IT! The first man in the Open Era to win all Slams twice. 2nd at Roland Garros and a 19th Slam to the Unbeatable Machine!
5:4 - Tsitsipas toils hard and hangs in there! Djokovic waltzes Tsitsipas with a gem of a backhand winner, the killer drop-shot just mounts the pressure on the Greek. But a killer serve does it again to keep him in the hunt just about. NOVAK DJOKOVIC GEARS UP TO SERVE FOR A 19TH GRAND SLAM TITLE.
4 HOURS ON THE CLOCK!
5:3 - Djokovic grows on and on! Tsitsipas fails to connect with the right power and has put away three consecutive strokes out of the deep end and here is the Serbian, a game away from history!
4:3 - Jaw-dropping stuff! Tsitsipas claws back from 40-15 down to HOLD a nerve-wracking game. The clock is close to 4 hours but the young Greek has matched the veteran with the some high-octane stuff as well. The serve has not failed him when in doubt and he continues to slog hard.
4:2 - Djokovic, unbreakable! The danger of the Novak first-serve has just flared up in this set and Tsitsipas fails to make inroads. Novak's perfect volley has Tsitsipas dreading in movement across either end.
3:2 - Nervy, nervy hold for Stefanos! Tsitsipas is put to the sword but has come out strong once again with some dashing second-serves. Djokovic in disbelief has he nets a clear winner to perhaps close out the game.
3:1 - Slam no.19 in sight! Djokovic extends the lead with a clean hold. Tsitsipas misfires the backhand returns and Djokovic punishes him with some fiery strokes down the far end.
2:1 - UNREAL TENNISand Djokovic emerges with a break! Two exquisite drop shots from Tsitsipas has Djokovic scamper in from a world away to devour the point with sheer athleticism. How can anybody stop this man?
1:1 - Djokovic holds as well! Not a convincing start for the Serb as Tsitsipas puts on some delectable strokes from the net to keep Djokovic on his toes. Djokovic eventually closes out as Tsitsipas' returns went off line with exceeding power.
0:1 - Tsitsipas holds and how! Djokovic forces the deuce with some pummeling backhands but Tsitsipas has picked up the pace on his second serve as well in a do-or-die attitude - massive hold.
A test of nerve, endurance and skill - the decider unfolds at the Chatrier with Tsitsipas on serve.
SET 4
6:2 - We are going all the way in the final! The World No.1 marks a stunning comeback from two sets down in typical fashion.
5:2 - Tsitsi controlling what he can control at the moment. A much better service game while on the brink, keeps Djokovic waiting for the set. Oh, well he will be serving to take the fourth set now.
5:1 - He's nearly there! Djokovic holds comfortably with another brisk serve that has some supreme forehand passes that leaves Tsitsipas well back in his strides.
4:1 - Another quick game as Tsitsipas clings on. A much better service game as he draws Djokovic deep into the stretch before smashing it down the line.
4:0 - Done in 60 seconds, or thereabouts! Djokovic freezes Tsitsipas on serve who looks a pale shadow of himself from the previous sets. All too cool for the world no.1 at the moment.
3:0 - Novak hits the top gear! A game that went well beyond 10 minutes as the advantage switched hands eventually has the Serbian composure take the edge once again. Is this the beginning of the end for Tsitsipas?
2:0 - Too many errors of all kinds from Tsitsi as he misses a chance to break back. Djokovic controls the pace on the final shot that has Tsitsipas walloping the ball too far.
1:0 - Blazing start for the Djoker as he breaks a lowly Tsitsipas. The Serbian mastermind has cashed in on the short break that put Tsitsi on the back-foot. The Greek's serve speed has taken a hit and this is well like playing into the hands of the world no.1.
Tsitsi is back on and here goes Set No.4!
The restart is delayed after Tsitsipas is consulted by the physio. Djokovic, on the other hand, has a good stretch before walking to his end.
SET 3
6:3 - Djokovic halfway through his comeback!
The response of a champion and if anyone had any doubts of this being tied down to a three-setter, well, there's a surprise up from either men. Meanwhile,
Tsitsipas has spoken to the chair umpire for a bathroom break and also request to speak to his physio.
5:3 - Out of the world play from Tsitsipas! LOVE-30 down and he finds the way out of trouble with some sublime tennis. Some deceptive drop shots from the Serb has Tsitsipas steaming in to lob over. Djokovic turns and swirls the ball back to Tsitsipas who manages to drill it in just in time with pure reflexes.
5:2 - Djoker staves off Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas gives a stiff fight to break but Djokovic holds on to take the lead. A game away from clinching the third!
4:2 - Huge hold for Tsitsipas! A couple of double-faults mar the start for Tsitsipas but he accounts for some superior serves to make way for him once again.
4:1 - And there we go! Djokovic continues to fit into his groove and has a comfortable hold to extend the lead. Tsitsipas puts up a stunning cross-court return but that isn't enough to shudder Novak at the moment. Impeccable ball-striking from both men at the moment.
3:1 - Djokovic BREAKS! Goodness me, what a game has this one been! Tsitsipas saves four Break Points before gaining the lead for a moment, but Djokovic induces the error to force the deuce once again. Djokovic knows this is the moment and seizes it just like as always to force the break. First signs of frustration from Tsitsipas as Djokovic's fatigue seems to subside by the minute.
2:1 - A crucial hold for Djokovic after taking a 30-love lead and clearing the game after Tsitsipas faltered a couple of returns hitting the net.
1:1 - Tsitsi continues to don a top serve! Clearly, Djokovic has found it tough to wind down his opponent's serve. Tsitsipas pounds in two aces to clear him of any danger and hold early on.
1:0 -
Djokovic replaces the white tees with that fiery red. A much better service game as the flawless backhand returns churns the points.
SET 2
2:6 - TSITSI on course to history!
He does it with a crunching ACE and another fine service game. Djokovic flummoxed, drained and down as he his left with a mountain to climb to reach a rare summit. Tsitsipas cannot ask for any better start. Can he cash in or will the pressure cripple the young feet?
2:5 - Tsitsi inching closer! He breaks the diminished Novak serve.
2:4 - Tsitsipas with a fiery LOVE to hold! Djokovic has his head down and looks visibly tired as Tsitsipas finishes another top service game with a sizzling ace!
2:3 - Djoker breezes through this time. Precise serving allows the Serb to dictate and punish Tsitsipas to cover more ground. Tsitsipas fails to keep himself steady and does not enforce pressure on the second serve as opposed to his tactics in the first set.
1:3 - Tsitsipas holds comfortably. Djokovic continues to falter on return and has occasionally failed to judge the bounce of the ball. Very unlike Novak as the errors continue to cripple his spirit at the moment.
1:2 - Djokovic on board with a breezy service game this time. He pushes Tsitsipas down wide forces the subtle backhand play to reel in the points.
0:2 - Tsitsipas extends the lead! Some fiery strokes adorning the Parisian clay as Tsitsipas continues to grow in confidence. Djokovic has minimised his run-ins and has allowed Stefanos to control proceedings for the moment.
0:1 -Tsitsipas breaks right away!
Djokovic looks out of sorts and the frown on his face suggests he is being controlled, unlike the usual case. What a rollicking start for Stefanos.
SET 1
6-7: TSITSI-passes the tiebreak test! The Serbian clawed from a 0-4 deficit to stun Tsitsipas with a 6-5 lead. Stefanos, however, has been supreme on serve and found a way to the set point once again and does not let it slip away. Massive start to the final and Djokovic will need to step on the pedal now.
6-6: Stefanos breaks right back! A classic response from the World No.5 as he blanks Djokovic on serve for the first time this evening. Djokovic in disarray as he grabs his towel and digs into it. Tsitsipas has forced the tiebreak in some style!
6-5: Djokovic breaks! A sly dagger to Tsitsipas' heart from Novak as he builds on from saving the set point to flip the tables. Tsitsipas is once again lured into the long rallies and his composure is brought under the scanner by Novak. Djokovic now serving for the set.
5-5: Djokovic saves a set point! Massive jail-break for Novak after Tsitsipas stuns him on serve to take the lead early on. Djokovic then invites Tsitsi for the long rallies and has tested the young man's verve under tingling conditions.
Djoker on serve. Tsitsipas, a game away!
4-5: Brilliant from Stefanos! Djokovic continues to push the return deep to the Greek and lures him with a delicate touch to the net. Tsitsipas comfortably runs in to force Djokovic to play around the net. Tsitsi runs back and twirls to smash it right across a gazing Djoker.
4-4: First key test on serve for Novak. Djokovic continues to drill in the serve but Tsitsipas makes room to impose a stern rally. The youngster fails to maintain composure and Djokovic continues his hold.
3-4: Tsitsipas holds and also forces Djokovic a tumble. Novak attempts the cheeky drop after seeing Tsitsipas deep in the baseline. Tsitsipas scampers to make ground and puts a near horizontal slice. Djokovic steams towards the ball, but slips on his way and has an ugly tumble near the net. Tsitsipas has a check on his opponent and Novak has gestured that he is unhurt.
3-3: Clean service game for Djokovic! Tsitsipas has hardly put up a challenge on return for Novak. The Serb's fine serve and volley, perhaps not even in his top gear yet, has put off Tsitsipas from finding an early break.
2-3: Tsitsipas continues to frustrate Novak. The youngsters is put under pressure on serve once again by Djokovic with some sharp returns. Tsitsi has found an ace to quell his imminent problems so far and finds another to get ahead. Djokovic, misses a simple cross-court return to help Tsitsi hold his serve once again.
2-2: Djoker unleashes the drop! Some exquisite touch from the Serb makes Tsitsipas look dumbfounded at the baseline. Both men have put up a top display on serve so far.
1-2: Fine hold for Tsitsi! Tsitsipas puts some force behind his accurate shorts targeted away from Djokovic. Djokovic stretches twice to reach the ball but fails to push it pass the net. The youngster looks in command and has taken the game with ease.
1-1: Comfortable game for Djokovic. No signs of fatigue on serve as Djokovic draws Tsitsipas back to the baseline with some fine approach shots to get the job done.
0-1: Tsitsipas survives a scare! The Greek holds with a hat-trick of aces after Djokovic forced the break point. He has begun casually but has still found enough spin on his backhand returns down the line first-up. Massive hold for Stefanos to begin with.
Stefanos Tsitsipas to begin serve
Customary practice, check. All in readiness. Here we are, for the marquee clash. Can Stef step up for the ultimate test?
Here, we are! Enter 22-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas into the Philippe-Chatrier and is followed by the World No.1, Novak Djokovic!
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6:03pm: One shot at history! We are less than 30 minutes away from the final at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
NUMBERS GAME
Match Preview
October 9, 2020. A young 21-year-old was cruising through his early opponents in the Parisian clay and flew into the second week in no time. The determined lad was then pinned to take on the World No.1 in the semi-final - his best result thus far at a Slam - and recognised the challenge would be like nothing else he has ever come across.
Stefanos Tsitsipas was down and out in the 2020 Roland Garros semi-final even before he was into his senses. The Serbian master, Djokovic took away the first two sets without breaking any sweat. Yet the Greek youngster, put up a stellar fight to rock Djokovic and retaliated with a response of equal measure by snatching the next two sets - forcing the tie that looked rather lop-sided in favour of Novak - into a deciding fifth-set.
Come Sunday, one may be to ponder whether the Tsitsipas - the first finalist ever from his country - would come close to repeat his valiant feat from last year, for Djokovic has cruised to the stratosphere after an epic takedown of Rafael Nadal on Friday.
Djokovic, the second-best clay-courter behind the Spaniard put up a spectacle like no other to carve his own path to yet another final. The dominance of the Serb has touched uncharted waters and the exuberant Greek will have to put up a show like no other to beat the odds.
WHAT THEY SAID
Novak Djokovic: "He's (Tsitsipas) in great form. I think he matured as a player a lot. Clay (is) arguably his best surface.We played an epic five-setter last year in the semis here. Yeah, I know it's going to be another tough one."
ROAD TO FINAL
Djokovic
Tsitsipas
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