Stefanos Tsitsipas will be playing in a Grand Slam final for the second time in his career on Sunday night at the Australian Open, and once again it is Novak Djokovic who stands in Tsitsipas’ way of a first slam title.
The Greek could hardly have come any closer when they squared off in the 2021 French Open championship match. He led two sets to love only to see Djokovic storm back for a 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory to steal La Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Djokovic has won all four of their meetings since that Roland Garros final and he is on a nine-match winning streak overall against Tsitsipas that has him leading the head-to-head series 10-2. Tsitsipas’ wins came in 2018 (Toronto) and 2019 (Shanghai). Although it has been nothing but the short end for him ever since, that’s not to say the 24-year-old hasn’t been competitive. He fell to Djokovic in another five-setter in the 2020 French Open semis, three of their last four best-of-three matches have featured at least one tiebreaker (including a final-set ‘breaker last fall in Paris), and a 2021 Rome quarterfinal clash resulted in a 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 scoreline.
Being competitive with Djokovic is not something anyone has been able to do this fortnight. Enzo Couacaud managed to take a set in the second round, but the 35-year-old otherwise trounced Roberto Carballes Baena, Grigor Dimitrov, Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev, and Tommy Paul. The last three performances against De Minaur (6-2, 6-1, 6-2), Rublev (6-1, 6-2, 6-4), and Paul (7-5, 6-1, 6-2) were especially impressive.
Still, those results are not enough to write Tsitsipas off. Five of those six opponents are relatively defensive players who counter-punch–never a recipe for success against Djokovic. Rublev is the only one with significant firepower, but while the Russian’s forehand is huge he doesn’t serve big and doesn’t go to the net. With the way Djokovic is playing right now, nobody is going to beat him without winning free points on serve and keeping points short by finishing them at the net.
Unlike the Serb’s first six foes, Tsitsipas can do all of those things. The world No. 4’s all-court game has been on display throughout this fortnight, during which he has ousted Quentin Halys, Rinky Hijikata, Tallon Griekspoor, Jannik Sinner, Jiri Lehecka, and Karen Khachanov. Sinner snagged two sets and Khachanov took one, but Tsitsipas won the first two sets in both of those matches before taking his foot off the gas pedal. If the third seed can get off to another fast start on Sunday night, he could make things interesting.
“These are the moments I’ve been working hard for,” said Tsitsipas, who will also become No. 1 in the world for the first time if he takes the title. “To be able to play finals like this, but finals that have bigger meaning than just a final. It’s a Grand Slam final; I’m fighting for the No. 1 spot. It’s a childhood dream to be capturing the No. 1 spot one day. I’m close. I’m happy that this opportunity comes here in Australia and not somewhere else, because this is a place of significance.”
For no man has Australia been more significant than Djokovic, who is already the record holder with nine titles. Currently fifth in the rankings, Djokovic will also get back to the top spot with a win on Sunday.
“Winning Grand Slams and being the No. 1 in the world is probably the two biggest peaks that you can climb as a professional tennis player,” he commented. “So letâs see what happens.”
This will almost certainly be Djokovic’s toughest test of the tournament, but based on both his current form and his illustrious history Down Under you can’t bet against him.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
www?
I have Djokovic in 5.
Novak in 4
I look forward to Novak throwing his love towards the stands four times at around 7am ET. Novak in 4. The GOAT is just a beast. Tsitsipas is playing very well BUT we shall see if the backhand is up for the challenge. He needs to serve big and try to shorten points. Djokovic will destroy him if they rally from the baseline.
Novak in 4
Why not pick the underdog?….Tsi in 4.
if you are a bettor yes, if your goal is to do a pure, clean, honest prediction then no.
I can’t ignore the age factor in a match that on paper, Tsitsipas has a strong chance of winning. This is not a match to be taking the 1.23 for Djokovic.
The cooler conditions will be a relief for Djokovic given his age and the tough battle Tsitsipas had against Khachanov probably evens the age factor out a bit too, but will it be enough to stop a battle hardened Tsitsipas from fulfilling his destiny? It feels like this might be his year, despite Djokovic’s seemingly unbeatable track record.
A lot could come down to whether the roof is open or not. Roof closed, advantage Djokovic.
Humidity will be 80%+ which is not ideal for the 35 year old.
If it’s really humid it will negate Djokovic’s ability to exploit any tiredness Tsitsipas might be experiencing after the Khachanov match.
No rain predicted for tonight and barring a freak storm, no reason to close the roof.
Djokovic winning is the likely outcome but it would be a great result for tennis if Tsitsipas pulled off the upset.
Massive hold right there from Tsitsipas. If he goes down a break there he’s playing catch up straight away.
Shut the fuck up Djokovic. This fuckwit will do anything to jag the win
Djokovic is worried – he knows if this goes 1 set all, he’s in trouble.
For gooness sakes 2-0 down now. Step up Steph!
Will repeat this again since 5 years back.
Nole would have 26/27 slams.
Rafa would have 23/24 slams
and why? becuse he has a better formula to miss less. Well done. wake me up when the snore fest is over. I’ll let you waste your life watching something that only a simpleton would get enjoyment out of.
Playing catch up the whole time, chokes at key moments. I’m over it.
Goes down 5-0 in the TB then wins 5 of the next 6 points and then chokes at 5-6.
Congrats Novak and fans, welcome to the 22 club, go to agree with Margot though, where’s the next gen, pretty pathetic…
Thanks, Alison! He made it, and after last year, I did wonder. As long as Rafa is playing, Novak will keep pushing, and vice versa – these guys don’t quit easily. If he could, Federer would still be contending for GS titles.
They have robbed so many other tennis players of their dreams. How many more?
Andy is going to be back in the mix, I hope!
Step down Steph. Is he going to be another left behind/ almost/not quite/never wanna be like Dimitrov and co? Because I can see players like Rune/Sheldon/Alcaraz elbowing him out of the way.
I have been thinking that too, Margot. The younger ones with less scar tissue are still exuberant and ready to play. And their timing is better than those who came before them.
WTA brackets are done. Two of them, one from France and one from Thailand, and
I got to pick Linda Fruhvirtova to win Thailand.
Congrats to Novak fans. Especially Elizabeth! đ Your boy done good!!
I knew he was going to win this year.
Thanks, Amy. I was pretty sure he would win this year too. But it is getting to the point…oh, what do I know.
Stefanos has a way to go on HC. I always thought Stef’s tennis looks best on clay.
Rafa wants to keep going. All the best to him this spring. It’s crazy.
Not bowing to Novak Elizabeth. Just stating facts..the data is clearly in his favor
No one knows what’s up with rafa n his body and after the 8 week absence how will he return back in what shape..I don’t think anyone is expecting him to win a slam as of now ..if he does he will be surprising everyone for sure
Also. I am sorry to say but I didn’t believe for a second that Tsitsi was any kind of thread to Novak unless Novak had an on court nervous breakdown. It doesn’t surprise me at all Novak won in straights.
Don’t worry, someone will eventually give you some attention.
I didn’t think he’d win either, Amy, but a set surely? đ
Disappointing Margot! I didn’t actually watch the match but apparently the second set tiebreak was pretty poor quality. So obviously Novak wasn’t at his best and Tsitsi couldn’t take advantage. Normally Novak is excellent in tiebreak s so he must have been feeling the tension.
Agree with Amy NID