Yeah.
Big asterisk beside his other win over Nadal at RG as it was Nadal at the depths of his troubles when it looked like he was completely done and would never win another slam.
That’s definitely a top 3 performance from him, arguably top 1.
Tonight Nadal(serve aside) was playing at a very high level.
This gives Tsitsipas a chance in the final. I don’t think he could beat nadel but Djokovic he could
It’s a good one for Tsitsipas really as all the pressure is on Djokovic.
Imperative that Tsitsipas wins the first set to have a chance.
Last time Djokovic beat Rafa he ended up losing the final.
Tsitsipas pushed Djokovic all the way in Rome a few weeks ago and to 5 sets in French semi final last year. I suspect he won’t win more than about 8 games on Sunday though.
Djokovic getting beaten up in the final in Paris, so far. Tsitsipas has taken the first two sets 7-6 and 6-2.
The three hours extra on court over the second week than an opponent 11 years his junior could be telling.
Holy moly.
Does Djokovic put too much mentally into beating Nadal on clay? This happened him with Wawrinka in 2016 as well I think.
Was thinking the same thing. Did the Nadal match take too much out of him.
If Djokovic doesn’t break here you would worry for him. Tsitsipas has saved 4 or 5 break points.
Djokovic eventually breaks.
Be interesting to see how this might change the momentum.
Djokovic looks so flat out there.
Has Djokovic ever lost a 5 set final?
I think he has won an Australian Open against Nadal, a Wimbledon against Federer and possibly an Australian or US in 5 against Murray too?
Tsitsipas unravelling here.
Two double faults in a row.
Think Djokovic is conserving energy here and just looking to win his service games and see out the set
Djokovic needed 3 hours 27 to win in 5 in Round 4, 3 hours 28 minutes to win in the quarter final in 4 and 4 hours 11 minutes to win in 4 in semi final. That’s 11 hours 6 minutes on court over the second week since last Monday with late night finishes on both Wednesday and Friday.
Tsitsipas needed 2 hours 7 minutes and 2 hours 19 minutes to win in straight set in both Round 4 and quarter final and 3 hours 37 minutes to win in semi final. That’s 8 hours 3 minutes on court over second week, just over 3 hours less than Djokovic and over an extra day as well since last Sunday.
Djokovic really needed to win this quickly in straight sets. It would be suspending disbelief for the veteran player, conceding 11 years in age to come from 2 sets down to win this. A feat of athleticism and endurance probably unparalleled in the history of the sport.
He’s 34 not 44
Djokovic’s endurance and lack of susceptibility to injury is incredible. It’s like he is made out of elastic.
Those last 3 serves were tired serves.
That’s one back for Djokovic.
Can Tsitsipas keep it together mentally now?
34 is old in tennis terms, particular on clay when you’ve spent an average of 3 hours 40 minutes on court in your last 3 matches every second day since Monday.
Tsitsipas getting treatment here.
Clay court is probably the easiest surface on your body. Spending that amount of time on hard and grass courts would be worse.