Djokovic rallies to defeat Tsitsipas in French Open final

Paris, Jun 13 (EFE).- Novak Djokovic on Sunday recovered from a two-set deficit to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open final, earning his second Roland Garros and 19th Grand Slam title.

The Serb needed four hours and 11 minutes to clinch a 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over the Greek to become the first player in the Open Era to win every single Grand Slam tournament at least twice.

Djokovic staged the biggest comeback at a French Open final since 2004 when Argentina’s Gaston Gaudio rallied against his countryman Guillermo Coria.

The first set’s main action came in its later stages when the Greek squandered a set point at 5-4 on the receiving end only to lose his following serve.

Djokovic failed to serve for the set as the Greek forced a tiebreak that saw the No. 1-ranked player rally from a 4-0 deficit, albeit in vain as Tsitsipas claimed a one-set lead.

An out-of-sorts Djokovic conceded his service game twice in the second set, as the Greek moved to with one set of his maiden Grand Slam title.

But the 34-year-old regained control over the match as he stormed to a 4-1 lead that proved decisive in allowing the Serb to close the gap against his rival, who required treatment for a lower back issue after the third set.

A ruthless Djokovic dominated the fourth set on the strength of two service breaks for a 4-0 lead on which he built to draw level at two sets apiece.

Tsitsipas conceded his service in the early going of the fifth set and was unable to recover as the Serb went on to seal his 19th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic closed the gap behind Spaniard Rafael Nadal, whom he had ousted in their semifinal match, and Switzerland’s Roger Federer, the two most successful players at the Grand Slams with 20 titles apiece.

EFE