Australian Open: Is the "best" Tsitsipas good enough for Djokovic?
So Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas are contesting the final of the Australian Open 2023. Anything but a victory for the Serb would be a big surprise.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jan 27, 2023, 01:54 pm
And so it is 5: 4 in the third set of the first semifinals at the Australian Open 2023, Stefanos Tsitsipas "only" has to serve against Karen Khachanov to reach the final in Melbourne for the first time. Tsitsipas shows nerves, as does the two match balls in the subsequent tie-break. After all, it is to his credit that he didn't let anything burn in the fourth set.
But the question is: What if he gets into such a situation again against Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday? And starts shaking again? What happened then, Sebastian Korda had to experience in Adelaide. The young American had earned a match point against Djokovic, but still lost the final game.
Tsitsipas still undefeated in 2023
Now, according to the general consensus, the many Greek fans at the Australian Open see the "best" Stefanos Tsitsipas of all time. Six wins in Melbourne, before that four in the United Cup - no opponent has yet found a way to defeat the man from Athens. But the same can also be said for Novak Djokovic.
A few days ago Djokovic said that he wanted to get into the heads of his opponents. That all his competitors should know that he never gives up matches. See that against Korda. In the mind of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic has been a permanent guest for a little over a year and a half anyway, the lost final in Roland Garros 2021 after a two-set lead still torments the man from Athens.
Djokovic already has 40 wins in a row in Australia
In view of this fact and also Tsitsipas' 2:10 record against Djokovic, the chances of a surprise on Sunday are not good. Yes, in Paris-Bercy last fall, the decision in favor of Djokovic was only made in the tie-break of the third set. And the meeting at the ATP Finals in Turin was also reasonably close. But best-of-five in Australia, where Djokovic has now won 40 games in a row? everything has to fit together.
Because Tsitsipas' Achilles' heel is well known, Novak Djokovic will massage it with relish in the final, which is also about number one position in the ATP charts: the backhand. Aesthetically valuable, yes. But under pressure, a harmless slice usually comes out, with which Khachanov also had few problems. The second serve doesn't scare someone like Djokovic either, so a high percentage of the first is needed.
Everything actually speaks for Djokovic's tenth championship at Melbourne Park. But if Stefanos Tsitsipas finally wants to get to the top, then a victory is needed that few observers expect.
Here is the individual tableau in Melbourne
laver arena