World No 1 Novak Djokovic scripted history when he registered a five-set thriller victory over World No 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open men’s singles final on Sunday. He won the match (6)6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. With this victory, he not only became the first man in 52 years to win all Grand Slam titles twice, but he also took his Grand Slam count to 19. He now trails only Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer who have 20 Slams to their name.

Victory for the Serb took him alongside Roy Emerson and Rod Laver as the only men to capture the four majors more than once. The final was described as “tennis from another planet” by the commentators.

In the first set, both the players were neck and neck, testing each other out. Tsitsipas, who was looking to take the first set early, was denied the win as Djokovic saved the game and set. However, he was broken back immediately and the first set went to a tie-breaker. Djokovic pulled all stops to draw level at 5-5 after being 0-4 down, but the Greek player won the tie-breaker 8-6 and took the first set 7-6(6).

Also Read | Missed out on Nadal vs Djokovic? Here is a recap of the epic French Open clash

The second set saw Tsitsipas break Djokovic in the first game and by the fourth game, Tsistipas had established a comfortable two-game cushion. Djokovic was being put to test as the 22-year-old first-time finallist was carving out a success story for himself. Sometimes, Djokovic played the drop-shot to perfection but other times it was Tsitsipas who stole those points and that too gorgeously. Djokovic was broken again as Tsitsipas took the second set 6-2, comfortably.

Djokovic started the third set on a positive note by holding his serve. Tsitsipas, too, held his serve but was put under pressure in game three by his opponent as he was made to save a couple of breakpoints. But it was Djokovic and his forehands that reigned supreme as he broke first in the third set to take a 3-1 lead in the third set.

What was interesting to witness in set three was the spurts of freshness that both players exuded. Battle for the third set went toe-to-toe but it was Djokovic who took the third set 6-3 with his sublime performance.

The fourth set was an easy task for Djokovic who steamrolled a tired-looking Tsitsipas and notched up a 6-2 victory. Djokovic was unstoppable with his forehands that looked similar to a bazooka. Tsitsipas tried his hard but could not counter a vintage Djoker.

In the fifth and the final set, Djokovic broke first and in just 23 minutes he was 3-1 up against Tsitsipas. The Serbian, who was at a two-set deficit, upped the ante and drew closer to the Roland Garros title. The fifth set saw a more aggressive Djokovic as a pale Tsitsipas did everything he could to hold his serve and at least be in the title hunt.

In game seven of the fifth set, Tsitsipas saved three break points and drew level at deuce (40-40). He went on to hold a massive service and extended Djokovic’s wait for the title. At one time the scoreline read Djokovic 4-3 Tsitsipas in the final set.

Tsitsipas held his nerve and showed heart as he put his rock-solid determination on show.

However, Djokovic did what he does best, win a championship. He served aggressively for the championship and blew the young player away as he took home the coveted title, winning the final game 6-4.