CNN
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The result is familiar, and a little surprising how easily it’s achieved. The historic significance of the match certainly did not bind Novak Djokovic as the Serb beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to win his 10th Australian Open title and record-tying first. 22 Grand Slams.
After the 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) win, Djokovic walked to the bench and burst into tears, the meaning and emotion of his achievement overwhelming him. As he returned to his seat on the court, Djokovic covered his face with a towel as television cameras caught him continuing to cry.
The statistics are astounding, and even more so with the quality and consistency of his tennis. Djokovic last lost at the Australian Open in 2018, a winning streak that spanned 28 matches. This is his 33rd Grand Slam final.
Djokovic and Rafael Nadal now share the record for men’s Grand Slam titles, with Djokovic becoming just the second man to win more than 10 titles in a single Grand Slam. The other is Nadal, yes, he has won the French Open 14 times.
There is no doubt that these two are all-time greats not only of their sport but of any sport. Which is the greatest? This battle and debate continues, and tennis is the benefactor.
Djokovic also returned to the top of the men’s world rankings with a victory over Tsitsipas in less than three hours in Melbourne, a position he will occupy for the 374th consecutive week.
Sitsipas, who reached his second Grand Slam final and first Roland Garros final, also in a loss to Djokovic, can rest assured he is not the first to be slapped by the 35-year-old. The player the Serbs beat. big occasion.
The Greek’s serve was under pressure from the start. He trailed 15-40 in the second, but tied it 1-1 in the first, but once Djokovic broke serve in the fourth, not only did it feel like the set would inevitably end, but The same goes for games.
Third seed Tsitsipas was more resistant in the second set, with fewer unforced errors and a stronger serve, and he won a set point, but Djokovic won by 15 strokes later. Then, the opportunity is gone. A forehand error ruined Tsitsipas’ chances in the tiebreaker.
Tsitsipas’ straight break of serve in the third set signaled that the game was about to reverse, but Djokovic broke serve immediately and prevailed in the tie-break, leading 5-0 before scoring three championship points.
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