Djokovic comes from two sets down to beat Tsitsipas in French Open final
Novak Djokovic won his 19th career grand slam title on Sunday, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the French Open final.
The 22-year-old Greek looked poised in his first grand slam final, going two sets up before it all fell apart against the world No.1.
Serbian Novak Djokovic gets his hands – and his lips – on the trophy.Credit:AP
Tsitsipas won the first set after erasing a set point in the tie-breaker with a difficult forehand winner. In the second set he looked fresher than the 34-year-old Djokovic, who is coming off an epic semifinal against Rafael Nadal.
But Djokovic steadied his game in the third set, which turned in the fourth game, when he converted his fifth break-point chance of the game.
After that, Tsitsipas appeared to lose his way, while Djokovic found his form.
During the changeover before the fourth set, Tsitsipas laid on his back and was stretched out by the trainer, a back injury apparently hindering his movement.
Stefanos Tsitsipas reaches for the ball against Novak Djokovic.Credit:AP
Fifth seed Tsitsipas appeared to be struggling physically but valiantly tried to dig in at the start of the fifth set as the shadows spread across a sun-lit Court Philippe Chatrier.
But Djokovic got the early break in the decider and although he was pushed hard, he was never threatened again.
There were nerves as he served at 5-4, netting an easy volley and then seeing a Tsitsipas backhand flash past him on championship point. However, Djokovic would not be denied at the second time of asking after four hours 11 minutes.
It was the sixth time in his career Djokovic had overcome a two-set deficit to win – and he did it in front of a vocal Roland-Garros crowd that was very much weighted in favour of the Greek.
In moving just one behind the record of 20 shared by Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, Djokovic became the first player in the professional era to win each grand slam title twice. “It was again an electric atmosphere. Nine hours of tennis in less than 48 hours,” Djokovic said on court.
“It’s not easy; physically and mentally it was very, very difficult for me. I believed in my capacities and in my game. It’s a dream come true.”
