Novak Djokovic is unstoppable and celebrates tournament victory in Dubai
Novak Djokovic has won the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai for the fifth time. In the final he won 6: 3 and 6: 4 against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Feb 29, 2020, 06:24 pm
Djokovic thus screwed his season balance sheet to 18 wins - with no defeat, there are now 21 across seasons. By contrast, Tsitsipas had to congratulate again for the first time after eight winning matches.
Tsitsipas got the game's first break chance at 2-2 in the first set, but it was Djokovic who struck three games later on his first opportunity. And how: Tsitsipas had previously beaten a simple backhand, but he countered the break chance with a fine attack - but Djokovic briefly passed it with a slipped backhand and served smoothly afterwards. Crazy: Tsitsipas was 11: 9 up front on a winner / casual error record (Djokovic: 4: 8), but only made 14 percent of the points on a second serve. Not even the last two at the break for Djokovic, who despite a mixed performance presented himself again as master of the big points.
And who attracted playfully in the second set. A weak service game by Tsitsipas - a failed stop, a double mistake and two patiently played rallies by Djokovic - brought about the supposed preliminary decision for the world number one; Tsitsipas, who looked a bit knocked out, but immediately struck back to the 3: 3 equalizer. However, two games caused a double mistake by Tsitsipas for a 15:30 for Djokovic; Tsitsipas then had to go twice over the second serve and made two mistakes in the rally.
Djokovic served sovereignly this time, converted matchball number 1 with a backhand longline stroke and celebrated his fifth title at the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai after 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. Overall, it was his 79th tournament victory.
Djokovic: "Enjoy the moment"
"My coach Goran won here a few decades ago," recalled a laughing Djokovic at the award ceremony and praised the organization of the tournament. "It was a wonderful week."
Djokovic explained that he was particularly satisfied with his consistency in the basic strokes - but also reminded him of his semi-final against Gael Monfils , in which he had to fend off three match balls . "It could easily have happened that I'm not here. You have to enjoy the moment."
John Peers and Michael Venus had previously won the double finals. The two Australians won 6: 3, 6: 2 against the Austrian-South African duo Raven Klaasen / Oliver Marach.