World No 1 Novak Djokovic faced 22-year-old Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men’s singles final of the French Open 2021. He beat his opponent (6)6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 and took his Grand Slam count to 19. Tsitsipas dream of becoming the first Greek player to win a Grand Slam title has to wait.

Widely touted as the ‘NextGen’ of the sport, Tsitsipas gave it his all but was no match for the World No 1 who showed why he is the best in the business.

Highlights:

Novak Djokovic is the French Open 2021 winner.

–Djokovic 6-4 Tsitsipas in the final set. This was the greatest comeback of the Djoker ever. What a final this has been. No words can be used to describe this marathon of a game.

–Djokovic 5-4 Tsitsipas in the final set. Djokovic is serving for the championship.

-Djokovic 5-3 Tsitsipas in the final set. The commentators are all praise for Djoker’s mental toughness. He is one step closer to the title. Can he wrap up the championship in the ninth game of the fifth set?

-Djokovic 4-3 Tsitsipas in the final set. That was a massive hold from Tsitsipas even though all the momentum was in Djokovic’s favour.

-Djokovic 4-2 Tsitsipas in the final set. This is not a game of tennis anymore, but a game of nerves. Let’s see who had icy cold blood running in his veins.

–Djokovic 3-2 Tsitsipas. This is proving to be a cracker of a decider. Both the players are not giving up easily. The one who holds his calm is the winner here. And currently, it is poised evenly.

-Djokovic 2-0 Tsitsipas. The Serbian breaks first in the fifth set and is closer to the elusive title. What a story this is turning out to be. Coming back from 2 sets to love, Djokovic is pushing Tsitsipas to the limits.

-Tsitsipas 1-0 Djokovic. The 22-year-old starts set number five by holding his serve. This has been a tremendous show of gut from the young player.

-Djokovic 6-2 Tsitsipas. The game is evenly poised now. Both the players go into a virtual final set shoot-out. Winner takes it all.

-Djokovic 4-1 Tsitsipas. A quick 40-0 game in favour of Tsitsipas. A consolation game maybe. This final is going to the fifth set for sure. And from what it seems, it can be safe to assume that a 19th Grand Slam title is waiting for Djokovic.

-Djokovic 4-0 Tsitsipas. It is being difficult for the Greek to counter the Serbian. And Tsitsipas hasn’t been able to match the prowess of Djokovic.

–Djokovic 3-0 Tsitsipas. A double break up in set four for Djokovic. He is showing why he is the World No 1. Vintage Djokovic is at play now.

-Djokovic 2-0 Tsitsipas. Djokovic holds his serve and looks in top form. He is finding the lines nonchalantly. These are worrying times for the Greek. 

–Djokovic 1-0 Tsitsipas. The 18-time Grand Slam champion has broken the first in the fourth set. This is a massive, massive set for both the players. That break of serve was quick.

-Tsitsipas 3-6 Djokovic. That was sublime, sublime performance by the World No 1. He is still in the hunt for the championship. The quality of Djokovic’s serve returned in set 3.

-Tsitsipas 3-5 Djokovic. That was some recovery from the World No 5 as he played some beautiful drop shots and cross-court forehands. However, a lot of work is left for both the players.

-Tsitsipas 2-5 Djokovic. That was a brilliant hold from the Serbian. He is one game away from taking the third set and slowly clawing back in the championship.

-Tsitsipas 2-4 Djokovic. Tsitsipas digs deep in his reserves and manages to hold his serve. Djokovic is slowly getting back in the groove and proving to be a threat to the young Greek player.

-Tsitsipas 1-3 Djokovic. The World No 1 lands a blow and breaks first in the third set and keeps his hope alive for a 19th Grand Slam title.

-Tsitsipas 1-1 Djokovic. In the third set, both players have been able to hold their serve till now. However, Tsitsipas looks more in control and is making Djokovic fight for each point.

-Tsitsipas 6-2 Djokovic. The young Greek player is just one set away from getting his hand on the elusive title. This has been a fiery performance, dominant to say the least. Broken twice in the second set, Djokovic seems to be struggling. What an incredible final it is turning out to be.

-Tsitsipas gets a second break to lead Djokovic 5-2 in the second set. The Greek seems fitter, faster and more determined than the Serb. Can the World No 1 script a historic comeback or this is the end for him? 

-Tsitsipas 4-2 Djokovic. Different player, same result. Another 40-0 serve hold, this time from Tsitsipas. These guys are going toe-to-toe.

-Tsitsipas 3-2 Djokovic. A quickfire 40-0 serve hold from Djokovic keeps him in the hunt. Can he break Tsitsipas or the latter will outrun him? Let’s find out.

Stat attack: No player, who has beaten Rafael Nadal at the Roland Garros, has gone to win the French Open title. Does Djokovic have what it takes to win the title?

-Tsitsipas 2-1 Djokovic. That’s a vital service hold from the Serb. Two easy points help him hold the game.

-Tsitsipas 2-0 Djokovic. That is a tremendous hold to take a lead in the second set. Djokovic seems rattled and his wife, in the stands, is hoping that inspiration finds Djokovic.

-Tsitsipas 1-0 Djokovic. The young tennis player has broken Djokovic in the first game of the second set. He is setting himself up for the title.

– Stefanos Tsitsipas takes the first set 7-6(6) vs Novak Djokovic.

– 5-All in the tie breaker. 

-Djokovic 6-6 Tsitsipas. The Greek breaks back. Djokovic is struggling with this second serve and Tsitsipas is taking full advantage of it. We go to a tie break.

-Djokovic 6-5 Tsitsipas. How often do we see Djokovic save a set and then go ahead and breaks? This is a crazy show of skill from the World No 1. Tsitsipas is broken.

-Djokovic 5-5 Tsitsipas. What a hold from Djokovic. Put under pressure, he not only holds his nerve but also the game. This first set is turning out to be a cracker.

-Djokovic 4-5 Tsitsipas. The 22-year-old is not holding anything back and is pushing World No 1 to his limits.

-Djokovic 4-4 Tsitsipas in the first set.

-Djokovic 3-4 Tsitsipas. In a game that lasted 6:40 minutes, Tsitsipas showed that he is here to stay and not give up easily.

-Djokovic stumbles! A beautiful drop shot from Tsitsipas forced Djokovic to run close to the net. In an attempt to return the ball, his foot gets stuck on the ground and he takes a fall. Nothing serious, though. 

–Djokovic 3-3 Tsitsipas. Both players are serving well and Djokovic has been on point with his serve. Wins the game 40-0.

-Djokovic 2-3 Tsitsipas. Unfazed, Tsitsipas comes through with the game. 21 minutes have been played and the Greek sensation leads 3-2.

–Djokovic 2-2 Tsitsipas. The Serbian is on fire and so are his serves. With a good combination of forehand and backhand, Djokovic is utilising the full width of the court.

–Djokovic 1-2 Tsitsipas. The 22-year-old Greek is giving Djokovic a run for the money. With huge backhands, Tsistsipas is earning points quite easily. He takes the game with a beautiful ace.

-Fine response from World No 1. He holds his serve by winning 40-0.

-Tsitsipas starts solid, holds his serve. He takes the first game after saving two break points. The first game lasted for 8 minutes. What a start to the final.

Djokovic, on the other hand, can become the first man in 52 years to win all four Grand Slam titles twice. A victory at the final will take the Djoker 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.