CNN
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The result was familiar, the simplicity somewhat surprising. The historic implications of this match did not faze Novak Djokovic as he beat Serbian Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to win his 10th Australian Open title and a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam.
After securing a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) victory, Djokovic went to the players’ box and sobbed uncontrollably, the importance and emotion of his achievement overcoming him. When he returned to his seat on the court, Djokovic hid his face in a towel, the television cameras picked up the sound of continued crying.
The statistics are amazing, the quality and consistency of his tennis even more. Djokovic last lost at the Australian Open in 2011. This was his 33rd grand final.
Djokovic and Rafael Nadal now share the men’s majors record, making Djokovic only the second man to win more than 10 titles in a single streak. The other, yes, Nadal, has won the French Open 14 times.
There is no doubt that the two men are masters not only of their sport but of any sport. Which one is the best? That battle and debate continues, and tennis is the benefactor.
The victory over Tsitsipas in Melbourne, which took just under three hours, saw Djokovic regain the men’s world number one ranking for a record-extending 374th week.
Tsitsipas is playing in his second Grand Slam final, the first of which ended in a French Open loss to Djokovic, and the 35-year-old Serbian is not the first player to dominate the match. A great opportunity.
The Greek service was under pressure from the trip. He was down 15-40 in the second game but managed to level the first game at 1-1, but once Djokovic broke in the fourth game, not only did the set come to an inevitable conclusion, but so would the match. .
Tsitsipas, the third seed, put up a strong resistance in the second set, unforced errors were reduced, the serve became more powerful, and he gained some points, but it was Djokovic who won in a 15-shot rally. And then, the opportunity is gone. Forehand errors spoiled Tsipass’ chances in the final game that decided the set.
An immediate break in the third set by TCS suggested the match was about to change, but Djokovic immediately broke back and dominated before winning 5-0 to claim 3 championship points.
More to follow.