Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6(5) in the Rome final, 2022 on clay
It was Djokovic’s 6th title at the event and his personal best 12th final. Tsitsipas had recently won the Monte Carlo title. The two had played last French Open final, with Djokovic having come back from 2 sets down to win the match
Djokovic won 66 points, Tsitsipas 46
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (37/53) 70%
- 1st serve points won (30/37) 81%
- 2nd serve points won (9/16) 56%
- Aces 6 (1 second serve)
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (16/53) 30%
Tsitsipas...
- 1st serve percentage (39/59) 66%
- 1st serve points won (25/39) 64%
- 2nd serve points won (7/20) 35%
- Aces 1, Service Winners 2 (1 second serve)
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (18/59) 31%
Serve Pattern
Djokovic served...
- to FH 38%
- to BH 56%
- to Body 6%
Tsitsipas served...
- to FH 33%
- to BH 67%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 40 (15 FH, 25 BH)
- 1 Winner (1 FH)
- 15 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (4 BH)
- 11 Forced (4 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (40/58) 69%
Tsitsipas made...
- 36 (17 FH, 19 BH), including 4 runaround FHs
- 10 Errors, comprising...
- 3 Unforced (1 FH, 2 BH)
- 7 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- Return Rate (36/52) 69%
Break Points
Djokovic 4/6 (4 games)
Tsitsipas 1/2 (2 games)
Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Djokovic 18 (11 FH, 5 BH, 2 OH)
Tsitsipas 7 (2 FH, 1 BH, 1 FHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic's FHs - 7 cc (1 bad bounce related, 1 return, 1 pass at net), 3 inside-out and 1 inside-in
- BHs - 3 cc (2 passes) and 2 drop shots
- 1 OH was on the bounce
Tsitsipas' FHs - 1 cc and 1 inside-in
- BH - 1 drop shot at net
- 1 non-net, swinging FHV longline
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Djokovic 20
- 10 Unforced (5 FH, 5 BH)
- 10 Forced (4 FH, 6 BH)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 46
Tsitsipas 31
- 25 Unforced (10 FH, 14 BH, 1 FHV)
- 6 Forced (3 FH, 3 BH)... with 1 BH running-down-drop-shot (non-net)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 46
(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)
(Note 2: The 'Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is a measure of how aggressive of intent the average UE made was. 60 is maximum, 20 is minimum. This match has been scored using a four point scale - 2 defensive, 4 neutral, 5 attacking, 6 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was 6/6 (100%) at net
Tsitsipas was...
- 8/12 (67%) at net, with...
- 1/1 retreated
Match Report
Good, solidly hard-hitting showing from Djokovic who thoroughly out-hits a somewhat outmatched Tsitsipas off the ground on a quick for clay court
Court is odd. Powerful serves trouble both returners and hard-hit groundies pressure them. Fair few bad bounce too
Its a baseline match and Djoko has handy advantage off both sides. FH advantage is particularly important as Tsis generally has a very powerful FH. Here, Djoko ups his FH hitting and gets better of the battle in all areas. Statisitcally and otherwise, his FH is star of the match with 11 winners (7 of them cc), 9 total errors (5 UEs, 4 FEs). Tsis has just 2 winners, 10 UEs (and 3 FEs)
Hitting abundance off cc winners is always a good sign, indicative of being able to very authoritively finish points without resorting to fancy stuff. More importantly (particularly on clay, though less so here) is Djoko out-hitting and overpowering Tsis slightly in cc rallies; not only not a given, but a surprise around this period. Djoko's FHs give him lead, and Tsis, who hits back hard too is usually relegated to counter-punching. Longline change-ups from Djoko work too to move Tsis about and qualify as attacking shots too (as opposed to neutral direction changers)
Off the BH, typical solid, firm hitting stuff from Djoko, sticking to basic cc shots. Tsis BH is comfortably outgunned and he's prone to giving up feeble shots; he's virtually never pressuring, let alone damaing or threatening off that side. Also mishits/shanks good few balls - which is probably due to the court not being in best of shape as much as Djoko's solidly hit shots
BH UEs read Djoko 5, Tsis match high 14
10 winners while forcing 6 errors by Djoko is odd ratio for him - generally, a very measured point-finisher. Either way, 10 UEs (5 of each side) is excellent consistency while hitting at least pressuringly hard. Its power rather than depth that stands out, which has hand in the unusually high proportion of winners; generally, effectiveness of Djoko's shots are based on depth, which isn't likely to yield high winner count
24 UEs from Tsis is poor. I'd more credit Djoko for simply being stronger off BH and especially for a beefed up FH display that gets better of a potentially strong Tsis showing
Djoko gets better of action in both sets, though obviously, the first set bagel more. He has a brief lull in consistency in the second (he makes the errors first in hard hitting rallies, nothing too bad) and some tomfoolery with missed drop shots, but otherwise retains advantage from back in second set too. Tsis' serve is the equalizer
Note high unreturned rates (Djoko 30%, Tsis 31%). Tsis figure by sets is 3/22 or 14% in first set and 15/37 or 41% in the second (Djoko's are similar - 27% in first set and 32% in second)
Djoko with just 4 return UEs. Rest is all tough stuff from Tsis - forcing 11 errors, an ace and 2 service winners. Very powerful serving. Right from start, Djoko takes first returns from as far back as I've ever seen him. Still hits things back firmly from 6-7 feet behind baseline, but very unusual for him. Returns firmly enough that he doesn't get stuck playing a defensive or counter-punching game from way back, as tends to happen with the far-back position. Does it play a role in low 69% unreturned rate? Its not clear - Tsis serves well and court is quick - but probably does help in keeping aces down to 1. He's fairly rushed even from back there so moving forward has obvious downside
Typically, whatever he does return, he returns firmly, which has hand in keeping Tsis winners (and errors forced) down to 7. Most of those are net points (5 of the winners - counting a near net swinging FHV as 1). As noted earlier, Djoko commands baseline action. Djoko's a perfect 6/6 at net. He's doing well enough from the back that he doesn't have to come in (he fools around with drop shots briefly rather than come in). Tsis would do well to, but doesn't have many chances given how beat-back he is. Serves set up most of his 12 approaches, where he wins 8
Match Progression
In first set, Djoko makes 13/15 first serves and commences solid hit shots after the serve 'til Tsis gives up the errors to hold. Returns very steadily - misses just 1 first serve return (and 2 seconds) and does something similar in return games, with more over-powering shots. Not a good set from Tsis by any stretch and his BH is outmatched and feebly, but an excellent one from Djoko
4 unreturned serves gets Tsis on the board to start the second set and a coulpe holds later, he breaks to move ahead, with Djoko blinking 3 times off the ground. The blinks sends Djoko into tryng to play drop shots - and that gets him into trouble next service game too where he faces another break point. One of the best shots of the match to erase that one - a perfect BH cc winner from routine position
Comfy holds from there to 'breaker. 1 notably unusual point, where Djoko pseudo-moonballs a return. Tsis runs up to swing volley it and goes on to win the point
Passive 'breaker from both players, though excellent serving. Djoko's first 2 service points are both gentle second serves around the middle of court, Tsis moves over to take both with FHs, but doesn't go after them. Fairly passive shots in the ensuing rally too from Djoko - with Tsis' BH blinking both times
Tsis gives up the mini going line, mildly attackingly with a BH he hits long to go down 2-3. Djoko hands it back serving at 5-4 in a tough rally, missing an attackingly wide cc FH, but draws return error to bring up match point
Normal rally develops on it, before Tsis misses an edgy BH cc to end the match
Summing up, good, solid showing from Djokovic - strong serving with something in reserve, unusually, returning from well back but as firmly as ever and hard-hitting groundies of both sides. The FH is particulalry good and gets better of a potentially strong Tsitsipas, while on BH, his shot is simply a calibre above of strenght and consistency. Handily outplayed from baseline, Tsitsipas stays competitive on back of strong serving for a set, after getting trodden in all areas to open the match
It was Djokovic’s 6th title at the event and his personal best 12th final. Tsitsipas had recently won the Monte Carlo title. The two had played last French Open final, with Djokovic having come back from 2 sets down to win the match
Djokovic won 66 points, Tsitsipas 46
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (37/53) 70%
- 1st serve points won (30/37) 81%
- 2nd serve points won (9/16) 56%
- Aces 6 (1 second serve)
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (16/53) 30%
Tsitsipas...
- 1st serve percentage (39/59) 66%
- 1st serve points won (25/39) 64%
- 2nd serve points won (7/20) 35%
- Aces 1, Service Winners 2 (1 second serve)
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (18/59) 31%
Serve Pattern
Djokovic served...
- to FH 38%
- to BH 56%
- to Body 6%
Tsitsipas served...
- to FH 33%
- to BH 67%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 40 (15 FH, 25 BH)
- 1 Winner (1 FH)
- 15 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (4 BH)
- 11 Forced (4 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (40/58) 69%
Tsitsipas made...
- 36 (17 FH, 19 BH), including 4 runaround FHs
- 10 Errors, comprising...
- 3 Unforced (1 FH, 2 BH)
- 7 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- Return Rate (36/52) 69%
Break Points
Djokovic 4/6 (4 games)
Tsitsipas 1/2 (2 games)
Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Djokovic 18 (11 FH, 5 BH, 2 OH)
Tsitsipas 7 (2 FH, 1 BH, 1 FHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic's FHs - 7 cc (1 bad bounce related, 1 return, 1 pass at net), 3 inside-out and 1 inside-in
- BHs - 3 cc (2 passes) and 2 drop shots
- 1 OH was on the bounce
Tsitsipas' FHs - 1 cc and 1 inside-in
- BH - 1 drop shot at net
- 1 non-net, swinging FHV longline
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Djokovic 20
- 10 Unforced (5 FH, 5 BH)
- 10 Forced (4 FH, 6 BH)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 46
Tsitsipas 31
- 25 Unforced (10 FH, 14 BH, 1 FHV)
- 6 Forced (3 FH, 3 BH)... with 1 BH running-down-drop-shot (non-net)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 46
(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)
(Note 2: The 'Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is a measure of how aggressive of intent the average UE made was. 60 is maximum, 20 is minimum. This match has been scored using a four point scale - 2 defensive, 4 neutral, 5 attacking, 6 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was 6/6 (100%) at net
Tsitsipas was...
- 8/12 (67%) at net, with...
- 1/1 retreated
Match Report
Good, solidly hard-hitting showing from Djokovic who thoroughly out-hits a somewhat outmatched Tsitsipas off the ground on a quick for clay court
Court is odd. Powerful serves trouble both returners and hard-hit groundies pressure them. Fair few bad bounce too
Its a baseline match and Djoko has handy advantage off both sides. FH advantage is particularly important as Tsis generally has a very powerful FH. Here, Djoko ups his FH hitting and gets better of the battle in all areas. Statisitcally and otherwise, his FH is star of the match with 11 winners (7 of them cc), 9 total errors (5 UEs, 4 FEs). Tsis has just 2 winners, 10 UEs (and 3 FEs)
Hitting abundance off cc winners is always a good sign, indicative of being able to very authoritively finish points without resorting to fancy stuff. More importantly (particularly on clay, though less so here) is Djoko out-hitting and overpowering Tsis slightly in cc rallies; not only not a given, but a surprise around this period. Djoko's FHs give him lead, and Tsis, who hits back hard too is usually relegated to counter-punching. Longline change-ups from Djoko work too to move Tsis about and qualify as attacking shots too (as opposed to neutral direction changers)
Off the BH, typical solid, firm hitting stuff from Djoko, sticking to basic cc shots. Tsis BH is comfortably outgunned and he's prone to giving up feeble shots; he's virtually never pressuring, let alone damaing or threatening off that side. Also mishits/shanks good few balls - which is probably due to the court not being in best of shape as much as Djoko's solidly hit shots
BH UEs read Djoko 5, Tsis match high 14
10 winners while forcing 6 errors by Djoko is odd ratio for him - generally, a very measured point-finisher. Either way, 10 UEs (5 of each side) is excellent consistency while hitting at least pressuringly hard. Its power rather than depth that stands out, which has hand in the unusually high proportion of winners; generally, effectiveness of Djoko's shots are based on depth, which isn't likely to yield high winner count
24 UEs from Tsis is poor. I'd more credit Djoko for simply being stronger off BH and especially for a beefed up FH display that gets better of a potentially strong Tsis showing
Djoko gets better of action in both sets, though obviously, the first set bagel more. He has a brief lull in consistency in the second (he makes the errors first in hard hitting rallies, nothing too bad) and some tomfoolery with missed drop shots, but otherwise retains advantage from back in second set too. Tsis' serve is the equalizer
Note high unreturned rates (Djoko 30%, Tsis 31%). Tsis figure by sets is 3/22 or 14% in first set and 15/37 or 41% in the second (Djoko's are similar - 27% in first set and 32% in second)
Djoko with just 4 return UEs. Rest is all tough stuff from Tsis - forcing 11 errors, an ace and 2 service winners. Very powerful serving. Right from start, Djoko takes first returns from as far back as I've ever seen him. Still hits things back firmly from 6-7 feet behind baseline, but very unusual for him. Returns firmly enough that he doesn't get stuck playing a defensive or counter-punching game from way back, as tends to happen with the far-back position. Does it play a role in low 69% unreturned rate? Its not clear - Tsis serves well and court is quick - but probably does help in keeping aces down to 1. He's fairly rushed even from back there so moving forward has obvious downside
Typically, whatever he does return, he returns firmly, which has hand in keeping Tsis winners (and errors forced) down to 7. Most of those are net points (5 of the winners - counting a near net swinging FHV as 1). As noted earlier, Djoko commands baseline action. Djoko's a perfect 6/6 at net. He's doing well enough from the back that he doesn't have to come in (he fools around with drop shots briefly rather than come in). Tsis would do well to, but doesn't have many chances given how beat-back he is. Serves set up most of his 12 approaches, where he wins 8
Match Progression
In first set, Djoko makes 13/15 first serves and commences solid hit shots after the serve 'til Tsis gives up the errors to hold. Returns very steadily - misses just 1 first serve return (and 2 seconds) and does something similar in return games, with more over-powering shots. Not a good set from Tsis by any stretch and his BH is outmatched and feebly, but an excellent one from Djoko
4 unreturned serves gets Tsis on the board to start the second set and a coulpe holds later, he breaks to move ahead, with Djoko blinking 3 times off the ground. The blinks sends Djoko into tryng to play drop shots - and that gets him into trouble next service game too where he faces another break point. One of the best shots of the match to erase that one - a perfect BH cc winner from routine position
Comfy holds from there to 'breaker. 1 notably unusual point, where Djoko pseudo-moonballs a return. Tsis runs up to swing volley it and goes on to win the point
Passive 'breaker from both players, though excellent serving. Djoko's first 2 service points are both gentle second serves around the middle of court, Tsis moves over to take both with FHs, but doesn't go after them. Fairly passive shots in the ensuing rally too from Djoko - with Tsis' BH blinking both times
Tsis gives up the mini going line, mildly attackingly with a BH he hits long to go down 2-3. Djoko hands it back serving at 5-4 in a tough rally, missing an attackingly wide cc FH, but draws return error to bring up match point
Normal rally develops on it, before Tsis misses an edgy BH cc to end the match
Summing up, good, solid showing from Djokovic - strong serving with something in reserve, unusually, returning from well back but as firmly as ever and hard-hitting groundies of both sides. The FH is particulalry good and gets better of a potentially strong Tsitsipas, while on BH, his shot is simply a calibre above of strenght and consistency. Handily outplayed from baseline, Tsitsipas stays competitive on back of strong serving for a set, after getting trodden in all areas to open the match
