RG Final — Djokovic/Tsitsipas

[tented]

Who wins?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Their head to head is 5-2 in favor of Novak. But, both wins of Tits came on hard courts. On clay, Novak leads 3-0 including one win this year in Rome and one in RG last year. But, both of these wins went to the full distance and so I don't expect this match to be one sided. Besides, Novak tends to play to the level of his opponents and have walkabouts in matches that he thinks he will win. So, I expect Novak to lose two sets, one due to his own walkabout and one due to Tits suddenly playing well. But, in the end Novak will tighten the ship and will win it to become a double career slam winner and with a potential for calendar golden grand slam intact.

EVENT BREAKDOWN​

Year	Event	Surface	RND	Winner	Result
2021	ATP Masters 1000 Rome Italy	Outdoor Clay	QF	Novak Djokovic	46 75 75
2020	Roland Garros France	Outdoor Clay	SF	Novak Djokovic	63 62 57 46 61
2020	Dubai U.A.E.	Outdoor Hard	F	Novak Djokovic	63 64
2019	ATP Masters 1000 Paris France	Indoor Hard	QF	Novak Djokovic	61 62
2019	ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai China	Outdoor Hard	QF	Stefanos Tsitsipas	36 75 63
2019	ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Spain	Outdoor Clay	F	Novak Djokovic	63 64
2018	ATP Masters 1000 Canada Canada	Outdoor Hard	R16	Stefanos Tsitsipas	63 675 63

 

[tented]

^ Thanks for posting the stats.

 

[MikeOne]

wouldn't be shocked if Tsitsipas wins.... Last time Novak beat Rafa at RG, he lost in finals. Beating Rafa must make someone feel like they have already won the tournament or deserve the trophy.. then they realize, they have another match to play where they are heavy heavy favourite. This messes with one's head. Pressure and mental exhaustion may be key factors....

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The Young Greek has had the most clay wins this season and he did take Novak to 5 sets in s.final at RG in 2020
I would not write off the Young Greek's chances.
Could we see a Young Gun finally break through in a major? or wait The Young Greek hates to be called a Young Gun he told the press he is 'a fully grown adult'...take that press.
We will see tomorrow a women winning her maiden GS title,maybe we will see a man also win his first maiden GS title.

 

[shawnbm]

I agree with MikeOne

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

If Djokovic can win this, he makes Wimbledon interesting as well as the US Open. I hope he gets it and becomes the only one of the Big 3 to have won each slam more than once.

 

[Denis]

wouldn't be shocked if Tsitsipas wins.... Last time Novak beat Rafa at RG, he lost in finals. Beating Rafa must make someone feel like they have already won the tournament or deserve the trophy.. then they realize, they have another match to play where they are heavy heavy favourite. This messes with one's head. Pressure and mental exhaustion may be key factors....

Don't think Djokovic will be bothered by this. He is not exactly a mental midget. If Tsitsipas wins, it's because he is a good enough player to beat Djokovic.

2015 comparison doesn't really work as Djokovic has already won RG and besides T is playing his first final (not that I think this matters much too).

 

[El Dude]

If I were writing tennis as an epic myth, this would be the time for Tsitsipas to beat Novak and signal the shift in ages, sort of like the Greek gods defeating the Titans (fittingly enough). This also would make a nice coda to Novak slaying the Dragon of Clay.

On the other hand, it is hard to imagine Novak losing this. I want to believe in the Greek God, but I just don't. On the other hand, it is his first Slam final, and he may seize the moment, so I voted for him in 5 just because.

 

[dante1976]

Novak in 4

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Honestly, Tsitsipas had enough nerves closing out Zverev. Tsitsipas could win, but I feel like Djokovic has this.

 

[Carol]

Honestly I'm not sure which one I like less, if Novak or Tsistpas

 

[Carol]

If the match goes to the fifth set Novak will win, I've never seen a player with so much resistance and physical , incredible and more at his age

 

[AnonymousFan]

Djokovic in 5

 

[don_fabio]

I'll stick with Novak in 4, but I am fully aware that Tsitsipas has his chance in this match. Is he going to execute good enough in best of 5 in his first slam final against arguably the best Novak has played in years on clay, I hope not.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Tsitspas best and ONLY chance if he plays Novak the way that Stan and Dominic attacks his FH.. Stefano's BH has got to penetrate the center of the court and make Novak create his own angles.. Novak hit numerous winners against Nadal balls that was short and did not stay in the center of the court.When Novak is pressured like the young Italian did earlier his FH breaks down First.

 

[tented]

I'll stick with Novak in 4, but I am fully aware that Tsitsipas has his chance in this match. Is he going to execute good enough in best of 5 in his first slam final against arguably the best Novak has played in years on clay, I hope not.

Yep, I voted Novak in 4, but this has the possibility of multiple outcomes, however I don’t think either will win in straight sets.

 

[Moxie]

What a point to win Tsitsipas that game for 5-4! He started nervous, but has been good since he held that first long game.

 

[Moxie]

Oops. Novak just hit one of his patented overheads into the net.

 

[shawnbm]

Novak is for my money the strongest player (mentally) I have seen. He has this self-belief that exceeds anyone, including Nadal and Connors. Sampras had it in spades too. I assume Borg did but he was unflappable all the time so he’s hard to read