French Open: Novak Djokovic pips Stefanos Tsitsipas in epic final

Serb comes from behind in titanic tie


After 4 hours and 11 minutes of action, Novak Djokovic reached up for a high volley and punched out some stirring new lines in tennis history. His second French Open crown, a 19th Grand Slam title, made him the first man in the Open Era to win at least two titles in each major championship.

While the Serb's glorious smile told the winning side of the story, down the other end of court

Philippe Chatrier

,

Stefanos Tsitsitpas

, who played his first Grand Slam final, sat with his head buried in a towel. Djokovic's inspirational 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 comeback win helped him close the gap on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (20) at the top of the list for most Grand Slam men's singles titles.

"These two matches against Stefanos and Rafa, I'll remember these last 48 hours for the rest of my life," said Djokovic, who was presented the Coupe des Mousquetaires by six-time champion, the legendary Swede

Bjorn Borg

.


The 68-minute opening set was about small margins and staying power. There were winners, 18 for the Greek and 15 for Djokovic.




The difference between the two, on points won, was the power of one. It was the world No.1 who drew blood first in the 11th game, running

Tsitsipas

ragged. The strapping Greek responded by breaking right back. In the tiebreak, Tsitsipas led 4-0 before

Djokovic

won six of the next seven points, the Greek replied by winning the next three.

Tsitsipas did well with putting his head down after the early lead, his celebrations were almost muted, no more than a clenched fist in the direction of his box, where his animated father Apostolos sat. Djokovic drifted in and out of the contest like a wavering signal, but not without working his opponent, corner to corner, back and forth, using the lines and angles as if he were a designer pursuing a pattern. He was only laying the foundation for the fifth set.

Consequently, it was a slower, less weighty Tsitsipas early in the third set. Djokovic broke in the 10-minute fourth game on his fifth break-point opportunity. Tsitsipas, who survived a five-setter in the semifinals, got treatment at courtside, following the third set. The 22-year-old appeared none the better for it as Djokovic, looking sharper than he had at the start of the match, broke in the opening game and followed it up with another in the third.

Djokovic's knife-like retrieving was overshadowed by his touch, which early in the deciding fifth-set, outsparkled his steel.