Updates: Tsitsipas Forces Djokovic To Fourth Set
After failing to convert a match point, Novak Djokovic has been taken to a fourth set by Stefanos Tsitsipas in their Roland Garros semi-final. The Serbian leads Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-2, 5-7 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The World No. 1 appeared to be closing in on victory after breaking serve for a 5-4 lead in the third set with impressive use of the drop shot, but Tsitsipas increased his aggression to win three straight games and the third set.
Djokovic is attempting to reach his fifth Roland Garros final in his 10th semi-final at the event (4-5). The 33-year-old is chasing his second Roland Garros trophy as he attempts to become the first man in the Open Era — and only the third man in history — to win all four Grand Slam titles on multiple occasions.
Tsitsipas is attempting to recover from two sets down for only the second time in his career. The World No. 6 claimed his first comeback from that position in the first round against Jaume Munar. The reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion is also bidding to become the youngest Grand Slam finalist since Juan Martin del Potro’s title run at the 2009 US Open.
Rafael Nadal is waiting for the winner of this match in Sunday’s final. The 12-time champion claimed a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(0) victory against Diego Schwartzman to improve to 13-0 in Roland Garros semi-finals.
Despite not facing a break point in the opening two service games of any of his previous five matches at this event, Djokovic was forced to save four to hold serve in the opening game of the match. Surviving that challenge appeared to work in his favour, as he ripped a crosscourt forehand winner in the following game to establish a 2-0 lead.
Serving at 4-2, Djokovic showed great movement and balance to save break point at the net after a 23-shot rally. The 81-time tour-level titlist once again fired a crosscourt forehand winner to close that game.
After taking the first set, Djokovic chased down balls from behind the baseline to keep rallies alive and frustrate his opponent. Tsitsipas led 40/0 in service games at 2-2 and 2-4, but was broken on both occasions as Djokovic forced the Greek to play one extra shot. After extracting crucial errors, Djokovic achieved near perfection on serve at 5-2. The top seed served out the set with three aces and one unreturned serve.
In a third set with few break opportunities, Djokovic made the first move at 4-4. The 17-time Grand Slam champion used the drop shot to mix up play — as he has throughout the European clay swing — and outmanoeuvre his opponent. With Djokovic serving for the match, Tsitsipas closed the net well and played with power from the baseline to save match point and reach 5-5. After holding serve to 30, Tsitsipas continued to take his game to Djokovic and fired a forehand up the line to force the match to a fourth set.