Australian Open: Novak Djokovic celebrates his 22nd Grand Slam triumph

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Unstoppable in Melbourne: Novak Djokovic

Photo: James Ross/EPA

Novak Djokovic is the big winner of the Australian Open.

In the final, the Serb defeated Stefanos Titsipas, third in the world rankings, in three sets 6: 3, 7: 6, 7: 6 and thus won a Grand Slam tournament for the 22nd time.

In doing so, he has equaled the record set by his eternal rival Rafael Nadal.

It was a special satisfaction for the Serb - after he was denied participation the previous year because of his vaccination status.

His return was like a triumphal procession.

Already on the way to the final he had hardly had any problems.

Djoković started the match under a lot of pressure, Tsitsipas struggled to hold at 15 from the start.

The Serb managed an early break, the basis for winning the first set, which he then confidently decided 6:3 for such.

It only got exciting in the second set

The Greek, on the other hand, still seemed nervous.

No wonder, for him it was the chance of his first Grand Slam victory, while Djoković has already celebrated nine victories in Melbourne alone.

He was in a Grand Slam final for the 33rd time on Sunday.

As a result, Tsitsipas got into the game better, his basic strokes became more powerful and got more length, so he visibly impressed his opponent, Djoković, who was completely calm at the beginning, began to argue and started a dialogue with his coach Goran Ivanisevic.

When the score was 5: 4, Tsitsipas missed a set ball, Djoković saved himself in the tie-break, in which he had better nerves.

Tsitsipas, on the other hand, was let down by his forehand, Djoković won the tiebreak 7: 4.

The Greek didn't give up after that either, creating a break early in the third set, but Djoković immediately hit back and took the serve from Tsitsipas in turn.

The Serb stayed cool afterwards.

Incidentally, his father was again missing from his entourage box, who stayed away from the final after criticism of his appearance together with pro-Russian fans.

The third set also saw a tie-break and Djoković once again showed all his champion qualities.

A 7:5 was enough for him to win there.

Aha