Stefanos Tsitsipas on Novak Djokovic loss: ‘Things could have been different

Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas have been the season’s best players so far. Novak and Stefanos reached the Australian Open undefeated, with the winner becoming world no. 1 instead of Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic played his tenth Australian Open final and remained undefeated following a 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 56 minutes.

Thus, Tsitsipas lost his second Major final to Djokovic, giving his best in sets two and three but still finishing runner-up. The Greek was pleased with his performance, wasting a set point at 5-4 in set number two and saying it could have changed the course of the duel.

Novak saved it, secured the set in the tie break and prevailed again in the third to lift his 22nd Major trophy. Djokovic hit 36 winners and 22 unforced errors and built the advantage in the mid-range exchanges. The Serb lost serve once and delivered two breaks in a tight battle.

 

Stefanos Tsitsipas lost the Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic.

Novak made a convincing start, serving well in the opener and keeping the pressure on the other side. Tsitsipas defended two break points in the second game to avoid an early setback.

However, he hit a double fault at 1-2 to push Novak in front. Djokovic brought the set home with a booming serve in game nine for 6-3 after 36 minutes. Stefanos produced six comfortable holds in the second set and created a set point on the return at 5-4.

Novak denied it with a forehand down the line winner and gained a boost. Djokovic forged a 4-1 advantage in the tie break before Tsitsipas climbed back to 4-4. The Greek missed an easy forehand in the ninth point and placed a backhand long in the next one to offer the Serb two set points.

Novak fired a service winner on the first to wrap up the breaker 7-4 and build a massive advantage after an hour and 46 minutes. Djokovic took a bathroom break and lost his focus for a moment. Tsitsipas broke him at the start of the third set before losing serve a few minutes later.

The Greek landed two winners at 30-30 in the tenth game and introduced another tie break with a fine hold at 5-6. Novak grabbed two early mini-breaks and raced into a 5-0 lead, using his vast experience and the advantage from the previous sets.

The Serb lost the following three points before creating three match points with a forehand down the line winner at 5-3. Stefanos denied the first two with brave hitting and reduced the deficit to 6-5. Novak sealed the deal on his third match point to emerge at the top and celebrate his 22nd Major title.