PARIS —
Novak Djokovic can become the first man in 52 years
to win all four Grand Slam titles twice in the French Open final on Sunday
after conquering
Rafael Nadal, the ‘Mount Everest’ of Roland Garros.
اضافة اعلان
World number one Djokovic takes on Greece’s Stefanos
Tsitsipas for the title with tennis history on the line.
Victory for the Serb will take him alongside Roy Emerson and
Rod Laver as the only men to capture the four majors more than once.
It’s an achievement that has proved even beyond the capabilities
of Nadal and Roger Federer.
It is so rare an accomplishment that it hasn’t happened
since 1969 when Laver completed his second calendar Grand Slam.
Djokovic can pocket a 19th Slam with victory and move just
one behind the record of 20 jointly held by Nadal and Federer.
Djokovic insists there will be no letdown physically or
emotionally after reaching the final in Paris for a sixth time with an epic
triumph over 13-time champion Nadal.
“It’s not the first time that I play an epic semi-final in a
Grand Slam and then I have to come back in less than 48 hours and play finals,”
said the 34-year-old.
“My recovery abilities have been pretty good throughout my
career.”
His four-hour, four-set battle with Nadal is already
jostling for a prime spot in the list of “greatest ever matches” at the Slams.
‘Never believed’
It featured a lung-busting 92-minute third set and required
government intervention to allow the 5,000 fans inside Court Philippe Chatrier
to watch the match’s conclusion despite it extending beyond the 11pm COVID-19
curfew.
The 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 triumph gave Djokovic the honor
of being the only man to have beaten Nadal in Paris more than once, having
first achieved it in the 2015 quarter-finals.
Nadal has only lost three times in 108 matches since his
title-winning debut in 2005.
Djokovic, the 2016 champion, said it was his best win in
Paris and ranked it among his “three greatest” ever performances.
He broke the Spaniard eight times from 22 break points and
fired 50 winners.
A weary Nadal committed 55 unforced errors.
“It’s hard to find words bigger than all the superlatives
you can think of for Rafa’s achievements at Roland Garros,” said Djokovic who
now leads their series 30-28 and had lost three finals in the French capital to
Nadal.
“Each time you step on the court with him, you know that you
have to kind of climb Mount Everest to win against this guy here.”
Nadal, the defending champion and chasing a record-setting
21st Grand Slam title, refused to dwell on the consequences.
“I’m sad to have lost in the most important tournament of
the year for me, but life goes on, it’s nothing more than a defeat on a tennis
court,” said the 35-year-old who conducted a hasty press conference while
Djokovic was still giving his on-court interview.
Djokovic will be playing in his 29th Slam final on Sunday.
He holds a 5-2 record over Tsitsipas, a run which includes
all three meetings on clay.
At last year’s Roland Garros, Djokovic won their semi-final
over five sets.
“We played an epic five-setter last year in the semis here.
I know it’s going to be another tough one,” added Djokovic who also defeated
Tsitsipas in Rome on the eve of the French Open.
“I’m hoping I can recharge my batteries as much as I can
because I’m going to need some power and energy for that one.”
Tsitsipas, 22, and 12 years younger than the Serb, is in his
first Slam final having ended a run of three semi-final losses by defeating
Alexander Zverev over five sets on Friday.
Victory on Sunday would allow him to become the first Greek
player to win a Slam title.
He would also become the youngest champion in Paris since
Nadal in 2008 and overall at the Slams since Juan Martin del Potro at the 2009
US Open.
“I’ve never believed, have never really thought at what age
this achievement might come,” said Tsitsipas.
“But I’m really happy with myself. I think I’ve shown good
discipline so far. I’ve been progressive.”
Tsitsipas is the hottest player on tour in 2021 with a
season-leading 39 wins.
Twenty-two of those have come on clay and have reaped a Masters
title in Monte Carlo as well as Lyon.
Tsitsipas also had a match point in the Barcelona final
against eventual champion Nadal.
“There is the final on Sunday, which is exciting. I’m
looking forward to leaving my entire body on the court,” said the Greek who
knocked out second seed Daniil Medvedev in the quarter.
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