[5] Stefanos Tsitsipas vs [7] Novak Djokovic - ATP Masters 1000 Paris SF

[RS]

Sometimes I'm not sure if Djokovic is playing badly and struggling, or if he's toying with his opponents by making them think they have him beaten.

When he is not doing it to Nadal or Murray it is indeed fun to watch.

 

[MeatTornado]

Think there's a real chance he gets to Novak's legs then again there's also the chance Novak just abuses the crap out of his serve.

I'm not writing him off against Djokovic, just that he'd be the clear favorite against Tsitsipas.

 

[NoleFam]

I think he knows he can break whenever he wants at this point. He doesn't do anything for a set in a half then all of a sudden he zeroes in on the serve with some insane gets. Hes just conserving energy for the last dig

Yea like that 5-4 point in the tiebreak. He was out of that point like 3 times and ends up winning it. Like he knew he was going to take that point no matter what.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Credit to Djokovic, for sure. But players hitting to the opponent instead of the glaringly empty side of the court is my pet peeve because I remember Roger doing the same ish on important points. It rarely ends well.

That's true. Although Roger's approaches and Volleys are much better so he got away with it more often than not.

 

[NoleFam]

Yes.

Siiiii.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Let down by the final action. tut tut tut.

 

[NoleFam]

When he is not doing it to Nadal or Murray it is indeed fun to watch.

It's fun to watch against anyone for me. Well except Murray. Lol

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Yea like that 5-4 point in the tiebreak. He was out of that point like 3 times and ends up winning it. Like he knew he was going to take that point no matter what.

Bloody sticky player no?

 

[Sudacafan]

BRUTAL loss for Stefanos.
That's a tough loss.
Congrats to Novak he is still a mental monster.

Don’t worry. He’s used to it.

 

[RS]

It's fun to watch against anyone for me. Well except Murray. Lol

It hurts me when he does it to Nadal and Murray.

If he beats anybody else it doesn't matter.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

It hurts me when he does it to Nadal and Murray.

If he beats anybody else it doesn't matter.

Bivol or Ramirez?

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Djokovic's English is really soothing to listen to.
Wish I could root for the guy lol.

 

[RS]

Bivol or Ramirez?

Needs to back up the win vs Canelo.

 

[Biotic]

Did anyone really expect Tsitsipas not to crack?

Be fair. It really wasn't that kind of a match.

7.5/10 match.

The result gives it bonus 0.5.

 

[NoleFam]

Bloody sticky player no?

Indeed.

 

[Arak]

I don’t share the enthusiasm of most. Djokovic was running on fumes in the 3rd. I think Tsitsipas blew it in the tiebreak with a few questionable decisions.

 

[Krish0608]

Also RIP Rune. You know he had that one in the bag if Stef won.

I favor Rune after today’s match

 

[jl809]

Very GOATy from Djoker at the end. Should serve as a good wake up call though, he’s going terrifyingly lights out in matches atm, but for periods that don’t last more than a set… and when he does come off that, the field can definitely challenge him. It sets up an intriguing final and a great ATP finals

 

[NoleFam]

It hurts me when he does it to Nadal and Murray.

If he beats anybody else it doesn't matter.

I love when he does it against Nadal.

From a tennis viewing standpoint, it's ugly to watch against Murray.

 

[Realfan]

I can't appreciate the tennis because I hate the player so much. I get the idea, but can't get past it. Waiting for the day he retires!

I really don’t understand how anyone can hate Djokovic. I hate no tennis player but I’m a huge Djokovic fan (love him as an authentic person and player) and absolutely love and admire Nadal and Fed as well.

 

[GabeT]

The nearly man made a match of it at least

Nearly man! Lol

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Indeed.

As they say, Djokovic is a Beach

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Needs to back up the win vs Canelo.

That's the only reason I'm watching. haha Styles and big wins over evil Canelo make quite interesting fights.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Would love to hear @StrongRule thoughts

 

[Enceladus]

Match statistics:

 

[Arak]

Match statistics:

The tiebreak fairly reflected the performance in the 3rd set. Tsitsipas was struggling on his serve, while Djokovic serve games were straightforward. Logically Djokovic should win the tiebreak.

 

[jl809]

I think he knows he can break whenever he wants at this point. He doesn't do anything for a set in a half then all of a sudden he zeroes in on the serve with some insane gets. Hes just conserving energy for the last dig

Respectfully, this is absolute rubbish arrogance. The kind of stuff Fedal fans were spouting in mid 2017

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Would love to hear @StrongRule thoughts

Would have been a strong era had Djoko lost

 

[King_ Zeglan12]

Great match and Tsitsipas BH was holding better than I imagined but still he ceded a lot of court to get his FH into play

Djokovic coming in clutch as usual

If only Tsitsipas could develop a more solid and confident backhand, his game could improve multifold

 

[Mainad]

Missed opportunity from Steff to close this out proving he is just not as mentally strong as a wily old bird like Novak.

Could have narrowed the H2H gap slightly but instead it now stretches to 9-2 for Novak and 3-0 this season.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Only one of these guys has a shot at ending the year number one.

But only one is the REAL Number 1.

 

[Blahovic]

Was really nice to see Tsitsipas play a proper match. Obviously he lost, but it was good intensity and mentality after a pretty soft year from him in the big moments.

 

[Krish0608]

This is by no means a bad loss for Stef. A tough one, yeah. But I see so many positives in this loss. He pushed Novak to the absolute limits and made him earn this win. Played with so much belief and gumption in key moments. There are bad losses and then there are losses that could be a confidence boost. 3 weeks back, he couldn't hang with Novak and lost pretty tamely in the Astana final. Today he went toe to toe with Novak and matched him in baseline intensity. That's insane effort. Some of the points were crazy. This is what Tsitsipas can produce when his head is screwed in. How epic were those BP saves in the 3rd set. Honestly haven't been this encouraged with a Stef loss in a long, long time. The RG loss to Novak broke his confidence. This one could rebuild it. Here's hoping for a good ATP Finals and a fantastic 2023, Stef! You were amazing today. Hold your head high! Pame.

 

[StrongRule]

This is by no means a bad loss for Stef. A tough one, yeah. But I see so many positives in this loss. He pushed Novak to the absolute limits and made him earn this win. Played with so much belief and gumption in key moments. There are bad losses and then there are losses that could be a confidence boost. 3 weeks back, he couldn't hang with Novak and lost pretty tamely in the Astana final. Today he went toe to toe with Novak and matched him in baseline intensity. That's insane effort. Some of the points were crazy. This is what Tsitsipas can produce when his head is screwed in. How epic were those BP saves in the 3rd set. Honestly haven't been this encouraged with a Stef loss in a long, long time. The RG loss to Novak broke his confidence. This one could rebuild it. Here's hoping for a good ATP Finals and a fantastic 2023, Stef! You were amazing today. Hold your head high! Pame.

Lol, this is all what can be done, looking for positives in losses of the next gen, because actually winning is beyond their ability. Tsitsipas already lost lots of "close" matches to Djokovic, and everyone kept "looking for positives". But he kept losing again, and again, and again, and again, and it will not be any different this time. Next time they meet Djokovic will win, probably easier.

 

[Nadal_King]

That 5-4 point Tsitsipas should have won, when he hit that great backhand cc and came forward he should have either hit a forehand dropshot or forehand dtl but going to Djokovic’s bh was killer I felt since Djokovic was just waiting there

 

[Krish0608]

That 5-4 point Tsitsipas should have won, when he hit that great backhand cc and came forward he should have either hit a forehand dropshot or forehand dtl but going to Djokovic’s bh was killer I felt since Djokovic was just waiting there

I wouldn't even blame the shot selection there. I understand the thought process behind it. Going back behind Novak in a crucial point is not a bad idea, but it's a bit sad that he dumped an easy volley into the net. That point was on his racket. I wouldn't call it a choke, but it's sad that he lost that point. He could have clinched the match had he won that point.

 

[Krish0608]

Lol, this is all what can be done, looking for positives in losses of the next gen, because actually winning is beyond their ability. Tsitsipas already lost lots of "close" matches to Djokovic, and everyone kept "looking for positives". But he kept losing again, and again, and again, and again, and it will not be any different this time. Next time they meet Djokovic will win, probably easier.

Tsitsipas has been pathetic this year. He's not even looked like a challenger for most of the year. This is the only match where I saw that fire and intensity in him again. I would rather have a loss like this than the one in Astana which was so bad. I am usually very critical of Stefanos' losses. But it's unfair to complain today after such a massive performance.

 

[Genie Of the Bank]

Tsitsipas vs Novak Djokovic - Third set - tie break

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

I wouldn't even blame the shot selection there. I understand the thought process behind it. Going back behind Novak in a crucial point is not a bad idea, but it's a bit sad that he dumped an easy volley into the net. That point was on his racket. I wouldn't call it a choke, but it's sad that he lost that point. He could have clinched the match had he won that point.

DEFINITELY shoulda gone inside-in to the Nole FH, but it was a harder a shot that takes real balls to hit at that kind of moment. Therein lies the Djoker goatness though: not only does he get to the ball, but he manages to direct the little sliced BH into Tsits' left side AND THEN HE DOESN'T EVEN MOVE, as if he was completely certain the Greek wouldn't have the cojones to go inside-in.

 

[Rosstour]

Agassi was a cleaner and better ballstriker than Federer tbh.

I said satisfyingly not cleanly. lol

 

[DIMI_D]

Nearly man! Lol

Yes suits him as a nickname I coined this after FO open loss but really after US open 2020 MP choke and Zverev cincy double break up the writing is on the wall. He will get close but never quite get to the summit - The nearly Man

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Would have been a strong era had Djoko lost

I'm seriously asking, who is the strongrule in your fanbase?

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I said satisfyingly not cleanly. lol

True that. Roger hitting that forehand is extremely satisfying to watch.
Especially his inside out forehand.

 

[sportsfan1]

The tsitsipas floaty slice and predictably cc passing bhs, especially when under pressure, look atrocious for a top player.

 

[Federev]

Sigh. Still don't get why folks like Novak, but he's playing well. Congrats to his people. But I don't understand you

This is funny.

 

[Federev]

that 'ear gesture' is purely disgusting...

Me no like.

If you have to command praise it lessens the praise.

 

[Federev]

Soul crusher !!!

Give that man a hearing aid.

I’d chip in.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Give that man a hearing aid.

I’d chip in.

i'm sure @ojo rojo will help