Expert picks are back one last time at the 2021 French Open for Sunday’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas. A three-team panel previews the action and makes its predictions.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Ricky: I wouldn’t pick a non-Big 3 player over any member of the Big 3 in a Grand Slam final even if the Big 3 player was coming off an 11-hour semifinal match and had to be brought onto the court for the final in a wheelchair. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. I’ve seen enough in recent years to know that. Dominic Thiem should have won the 2020 Australian Open but crumbled at the end against Novak Djokovic. Daniil Medvedev was pretty much an even betting favorite with Djokovic in this year’s Aussie final and got blown out. Medvedev had a much better chance against Rafael Nadal at the 2019 U.S. Open, but Nadal was too tough. Other examples are Kevin Anderson (against Djokovic at Wimbledon and Nadal at the U.S. Open) and Marin Cilic (against Federer at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon). Those non-Big 3 failures don’t automatically mean that Stefanos Tsitsipas will roll over on Sunday. But they do indicate just how tough the Big 3 are in these situations. Tsitsipas vs. someone other than Nadal is actually the most competitive matchup we could get…but it still won’t make a difference. Djokovic was incredible against Nadal in the semis and on the stage of a Grand Slam final he will surely be just as good if not better. Djokovic in 4: 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
Cheryl: Tsitsipas was in tears after his five-set semifinal win over Alexander Zverev, the importance of having earned a spot in his first Grand Slam final not lost on the Greek. But what he finds when he gets there will be an inspired Djokovic, who dethroned Nadal in a semifinal epic for the ages in their evening match on Friday. Tsitsipas and Djokovic have met seven times already. The world No. 1 lost two of his first three matches against the Greek, but since the 2019 Shanghai Masters it’s been one-way traffic-all going Djokovic’s direction. If the Serb wins on Sunday, he’ll have secured a double-career Grand Slam (at least two titles at each major). Tsitsipas has played well all clay season; he even took out arch rival Medvedev en route to the final, But on Sunday he runs into the unmovable wall that is Djokovic and his record-breaking ambitions. He is just two slam titles away from equalling the record of 20 shared by Nadal and Federer. A first-time slam finalist doesn’t seem like a likely candidate to keep Djokovic from adding No. 19. Djokovic in 5: 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 6-4.
Pete: Djokovic, following a 5-0 deficit to begin his semifinal match against Nadal, then steadied his game to win 22 of the next 34 games to advance to the final against Tsitsipas. This euphoric momentum will be able to be carried forward against a first-time major finalist. Tsitsipas will feel fortunate to be in the final after appearing to be in complete control of his semifinal before recovering just in time in the fifth set to withstand a valiant effort by Zverev. Djokovic and Tsitsipas met in the semis of Roland Garros last year, as well as in Rome this year, with the Serb winning both matches despite having to go the distance each time. Match play experience in finals will be on display from Djokovic, as well as his amazing ability to quickly recover from the last three grueling matches. Tsitsipas will have to settle for a string of six impressive consecutive wins and the runner-up trophy, as Djokovic gets within one major title of both Federer and Nadal by winning No. 19. Djokovic in 4: 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
who ya got?
Djoko is 3.
I feel Tsitsipas will make the list of those 1st Slam final winners. Stefanos in 4.
I’m going out on a limb n predicting tsitsipas wins his first tomm .maybe it’s a hope driven prediction but I’ll go with tsitsipas in 4
Just don’t be passive tsitsipas like you tend to be in patches n don’t give Djokovic standard pace..mix it up. See what musetti did first 2 sets
I’m sure he has the resources to do it. Physically he didn’t play more than Novak. He is younger and is generally a strong, fit player.
It’s mainly a mental game here. Again, Stefanos has the resources to win it all. Let’s see how his nerves will hold. At some point the ‘not so new generation’ has to step in and break the ice.
Thiem is 1-3 in Slam finals.
Med is 0-2. Tsitsi can make his start right.
There are 3 things that can undo Djokovic: power hitting, variety, and a pumped up crowd backing his opponent
The crowd isn’t in Tsitsipas’ control, but he has been a fan favourite through this tournament and is likely to be favoured by the fans in tomorrow’s final.
The other two ingredients he possesses in abundance. He has a strong serve, backed up by powerful groundstrokes on both wings, and can unleash the one-handed backhand at will, not unlike a certain Swiss player who has beaten Djokovic on this very occasion. Tsitsipas doesn’t have Stan’s power game, but he is by no means a weak baseline player.
The second part of Tsitsipas’ game is arguably what can win him the match: variety and an all-court presence. He can serve and volley, play amazing drop shots, slice and change the pace of the ball, all of which will throw Djokovic off his rhythm.
Not to mention, Tsitsipas has run Djokovic very close recently on clay, and really should’ve won their recent match in Rome from a break up in the third set. Djokovic will feel confident after beating Rafa, likely tired too though as it would’ve required an incredible mental effort. Tsitsipas will probably be relieved that Rafa was knocked out, certainly preferring to play Djokovic in the final. And he’s a confident 22 year old, when he talks about his chances, he genuinely believes he can win this. He did describe himself as exhausted after the semi-final which was a bit concerning, but I have no doubt he will come out firing tomorrow.
Tsitsipas in 4
He said emotionally drained ..not physically as the match was in his control but went too tight at the end
Yep if its just mental exhaustion then he’ll be fine because nothing can pump you up again like a GS final
This is the real anonymous here not the one that’s being used to confuse visitors of this site. Do you guys ever stop playing games?
I have Djokovic winning in 4 but he won’t want this to go 5 sets otherwise the risk of Djoko losing increases exponentially due to potential fatigue.
I think it will be a close 4 sets but Djokovic should be in control for most of the match.
Also ,i think its quite obvious when it’s me or not. I don’t communicate like a superficial dip shit.
How do you know that? You sound just like one to me.
Lol! That was the reply of the day! Well said!
The fact that you took that personally is interesting. It was directed more at people’s deceptive behavior more than anything else.
Or maybe the deception is in your own mind?
Something to do with having multiple personalities (Im no expert)
With all due respect to Tsitsipas improved level of play, if Nole stays focused throughout the match like his SF match against Rafa, I don’t see Stef winning more than a set.
If Nole does start to wander about and have a mental lapse like his last year’s SF, Tsitsipas has a great chance of stretching out the match.
abhirf…
…nails what I am thinking about the match. Nole has to have a laser focus and hold it the entire match. If he can’t do that, Stefanos will run away with the match. Stefanos will not lose focus or intensity. He has his first GS within his grasp, and that thought is fire for the youngster. As a Nole fan, I hope Nole will not let that happen. But I feel the heat from Tsitsi.
Tsitsi in, forget it. I can’t guess sets.
Rc..antijinxing 🙂
Stefanos lost focus even against zverev .how can he be laser focus all match against novak..novak has more experience
Cmon why are u so not confident abt Novak ..even before RG u weren’t. Anything concerning you seeing ?
My eyes have been checked. There is a reason for my skepticism but let’s not discuss it here, okay.
I really did not think Nole would make it past Rafa.
I am not at all convinced Tsitsi can put a pressure on Novak, let alone win this match! Novak has just beaten his biggest rival and is sky high on confidence. He is known for his endurance so I do not expect him to falter in the fifth set if it would go that far, which I doubt..Novak has all the advantages and if he is focused which he will certainly be, Tsitsipas stands no chance….
Tsitsi went to five sets when being two sets up which tells a lot about his mental lapses.. and Novak easily smells fear…
On a different note: I am sad today, after I have been able to digest Rafa’s loss… what worries me about Rafa are two things: first, him admitting being tired in the fourth set ( brings doubts about his fitness) and second: him saying that he lost the most important match of the year…this means he is not optimistic or even enthusiastic about the rest of the season… i fear Rafa has now lost his confidence and we know what it means for his game…
Tiredness part I agree but the second I don’t. Ofcourse it’s known that RG is his most important tournament and he lost it…nothing concerning in that statement ..will he win anything this year ? Not sure. Whenever he lost rg as in 09 or 15, he really did not win anything after that much but does not mean he will not again ..let’s see..can write off this year at worst
Agree w/Eugene….The Greek in 4!
Tsitsipas in four, I hope. If he plays wisely he may win, but if he waste his energy by going wondering around (mentally) during the match then Djoko will win.
Djoko is much tougher mentally and he really wants this title.
Yes, and a huge difference in experience in Slam finals
Idemo Nole!
Nole is not getting any younger. I hope he can win his second RG title.
I have to set my DVR. I don’t think I can watch it live.
I think the oddsmakers are focusing too much on Nole’s victory over Rafa.
Let’s not forget that in 2015, Novak beat Rafa in straight sets, only to lose the final to Stan in 4.
History can repeat itself and Stefanos can win in 4.
He had a marathon SF against Murray that year and Stan is a different animal. He was in good form even before RG as well where he won against Rafa in Rome and Stan always has more firepower than Raf.
I meant Stan has more firepower than Tsi
The key is if Djokovic falls behind. Will he play straight or pretend he is dead n trick the opponent and then spring back to life ?
Thiem fell for this in ao 20 final. Tsitsipas needs to be just smart not to fall for all this and focus on himself
Sanju…so far Novak didn’t get this trick out of AO..i noticed he only had this ‘lack of energy’ problem only at AO..other slams like USO 2016( i think he had a legitimate cramping & torn toe nail)..
Makes me think many times, why the ‘problem’ only arised at AO?The worst against Andy Murray in 2015..but in truth i don’t 100% blame on Novak…his opponents should focus on themselves to win,not on the other side of the net..
Let’s be honest, if Djokovic falls behind far enough he will absolutely play injured and then miraculously recover within an hour
Come on Rafa fans, you give Novak shit all the time about gamesmanship but when you hear anything positive about him on this site you shit all over him. And then you moan that Nole fans aren’t being nice when he wins. It’s hilarious. I got to call a spade a spade.
At the AO he had a muscle tear (medically confirmed) and this site was full of conspiracy theories and tearing down Nole. The great man is going to cement his Goat status today. Idemmooo!!!
Not this AO 2021.we referring to the ao 2020 final against thiem ..read again please ..
Is idemmoo a Serbian word ? And what does it mean ? Come on just like vamos or Allez
Yeah Serbian, though I am not…it means let’s go…yeah like Vamos
Yes I know you weren’t talking about AO 2021 but this site was ridiculous during that time dissing on Nole unfairly
Novak fans have this fake persecution complex! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry listening to their whining!
Nobody is more thin skinned than the obsessive, nasty, vindictive Novak fans here. It is disgusting! How often have we had to hear recently about Novak’s supposed physical ailments? Numbness in his arm and how he kept trying to stretch it out all the time. Hello? What about that? So don’t you dare blane Rafa fans to justify your disgusting behavior! We didn’t start that bullshit about his arm or shoulder or whatever it was. Did not seem to stop him here!
Do not dare to justify your pathetic insults to Rafa by trying to blame Rafa fans for bringing up injuries! We did not do that!
A little bit edgy…
Don’t you think?
Rafa fans on here arent thin skinned? Really !
Djokovic in 4 (Maybe 3)
All this money for Tsitsipas is BS. The market has got this way wrong. Djokovic is back to 2011 form.
Big first game. 3 aces.