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Novak Djokovic turned a spectacular final against Stefanos Tsitsipas
Photo: Christophe Ena / dpa
Novak Djokovic won the French Open final with a spectacular comeback.
The world number one prevailed in Paris on the Philippe-Chartrier Court 6: 7 (6: 8), 2: 6, 6: 3, 6: 2, 6: 4 against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
For Djokovic it was the 19th title in a Grand Slam tournament - the Serbs only need one tournament victory to catch up with the record holders Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
The French Open record winner Nadal had beaten Djokovic in the semifinals, Tsitsipas moved into the final after defeating Alexander Zverev.
For the 22-year-old Greek, it was the first final in a Grand Slam tournament.
An exciting and high-class match developed on the sand at Roland-Garros.
Tsitsipas hit seven aces in the first set alone, scoring many quick points with an effective serve and volley game.
Djokovic also showed world-class tennis and delivered some spectacular rallies with Tsitsipas, but had problems with the second serves.
A first break brought Djokovic 6: 5 in the front.
Tsitsipas managed the direct re-break before the Greek won the equally contested tiebreak.
In the second set, Tsitsipas immediately took command and took Djokovic's first service game. While the first set lasted 1:12 hours, the second was over after 35 minutes - also in Tsitsipas' favor. But the Serbian world number one came back: a little later Djokovic used his fifth break ball in the same service game to pull away to 3: 1 and finally win the third set with ease.
Tsitsipas couldn't find his rhythm again.
Djokovic quickly moved away to 4-0 in the fourth set and forced the decisive set, Tsitsipas had to fight for every point even on his own serve.
In the end, it wasn't enough for the up-and-coming Greek, who will climb to fourth place in the world rankings after the French Open: Djokovic also made the early break in set five and played his own service confidently.
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