A fifth final in Paris! In just over four hours, @DjokerNole survives Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-2 5-7 4-6 6-1 to earn the right to play for a second title at #RolandGarros
"I was not pleased with the way I played" - Djokovic on level drop in his Roland Garros semifinal match vs Tsitsipas
ATPSaturday, 10 October 2020 at 14:00
Novak Djokovic is through to another Roland Garros final but following the match he was self-critical of himself for allowing Tsitsipas to get back into the game.
Novak Djokovic controlled the first part of his match against Tsitsipas with ease and it seemed like an easy victory but a slight drop-off in level allowed the Greek to force 5 sets and the Serbian was not happy about that. After the match which he won in five sets he said:
“I was definitely not pleased with the way I played the finishing stages of the third and fourth sets, but I was very pleased with the way I kept my composure mentally throughout the entire match. I did feel that even though I lost the third and fourth, I still felt like I was the better player on the court. I had more control. I just felt comfortable playing."
And that composure proved key in the final set where Tsitsipas completely crumbled. The Greek blamed his fitness as the main culprit which proved a role no doubt but mental fortitude is something Djokovic has worked on his entire life.
The Serbian had lofty praise for his opponent and the comeback that he almost completed:
”Credit to him for fighting back. He just played terrific tennis, especially in the fourth set when he was facing break points… He's a fighter. He's one of the best players in the world… There was a lot at stake for him. He was motivated to try to turn the match around, which he did very well. But in the end, I think he ran out of gas. That's when I stepped it up, used my opportunities when they were presented in the fifth and closed out the match in a great fashion.”
His next opponent is Roland Garros legend Rafael Nadal whom Djokovic knows well. It will be yet another final showdown between the two of them and speaking of that upcoming match Novak said:
“[Rafa] has lost twice in his entire career on this court. Obviously the conditions are different than the ones that we are used to playing in May and June. I think that could be better for me, obviously the ball not bouncing as high over the shoulder as he likes it usually. Regardless of the conditions, he's still there, he's Rafa, he's in the final and we're playing on clay. Best-of-five playing him in the final at Roland Garros, I know that feeling."
The tennis world will be watching closely as will we and a match recap will await you right here so don't stray far.
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