(SATSports) – Novak Djokovic came from two sets down against Stefanos Tsitsipas to claim his second French Open Title, making him the first man in the open era to win every grand slam title at least twice. He beat the sixth seeded player 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4.
The final got off to a rocking start with both players going toe to toe, Tsitsipas had to save break points in the very first game. From then on it was on serve as both players served out their games without a hustle.
In the tenth game, Djokovic missed his first serves which had been executed perfectly in the early stages of the match, handing over a set point but saving it. As many have seen over the years, the world number one would save a set point on his serve and break his opponent in the very next game but the Greek opponent would play unbelievable tennis to break right back and force a tie breaker.
A brilliant 4-1 start to the breaker by the 22 year oldsaw Novak in trouble, but again he just wouldn’t give up the set, staging a comeback. It was Nole’s time to get a set point but Stefanos would save it and then go ahead to break the Serb’s serve and take the first set.
Stef carried his momentum into the second set, breaking the serve and backing it up with a hold of his ow. There wasn’t much in the set as it seemed like Djokovic wasn’t on his level best and his opponent would claim it easily for a 2-0 sets lead to many people’s surprise.
There is no quitting in a champion and Novak just showed why he has dominated the game in set 3, pouncing in the fourth game by breaking serve in an 11 minutes plus game to take a 3-1 lead. He would go on to claim the set 6-3 as he shrugged off a couple of double faults and fatigue from his own end of the court, giving himself a lifeline.
Tsitsipas, who was playing his first major final seemed to have dropped his level physically and emotionally, needing some treatment at the end of the third as he attempted to close out business in the fourth. It just wasn’t meant to be in the fourth set because he was crippled by two early breaks by the world’s best tennis player right now who played ruthlessly and wizardly to take the match into the fifth set.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going as was the case with the Serbian, who pounced early in the fifth to go up a break for 2-1, followed by a massive hold to love on his own serve. The 10th game was very tight, with Djokovic feeling the need to close out the match and Stefanos ensuring that he doesn’t hand over the championship to him. Tennis fans up on their feet and cheering on for their favorite players, who played outrageous points at crucial moments in the game and Djokovic proved he was the best player on the court by seeing off his opponent in a fashionable vintage Novak way for his 19th major.
The Serb also showed gratitude to one fan who he said was in his ear throughout the match, helping him from two sets down with advice, encouragement and tactics as he handed over his grand slam winning racquet to the youngster.
The 35 year old became the first man in open era to win at least every major twice, also edging closer to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the grand slam titles wins, trailing by just one. He also looks to complete golden slam this years, with the Olympics, Wimbledon and US Open coming up this year and it’s a goal he has dedicated himself to.
(Report Written and Compiled by Takudzwa Alufeyo)
