Djokovic back in a big final at Italian Open vs. Tsitsipas

ROME –

Novak Djokovic had just this need a week prior to the French Open.

To reach his largest final of the year, the top-ranked Serb defeated Casper Ruud by 6-4,6-3 at Saturday’s Italian Open.

Djokovic will be trying to extend his winning streak of five matches over Stefanos Tisipas, after he missed a significant portion of the season for not being vaccinated against coronavirus.

Tsitsipas won his first Rome final, beating Alexander Zverev, 4-6,6-3, 6-3.

Djokovic is aiming for his sixth Rome title.

Top-ranked Iga SWIATEK defeated Aryna SABAlenka 6-2 and 6-1 in the women’s semifinals. This was her 27th consecutive win. Ons Jabeur will be her opponent on a run.

Jabeur defeated Daria Kasatkina, 6-4, 6-1, 7-5, her 11th consecutive win after winning the Madrid Open trophy last Thursday.

Djokovic scored the 1,000th win in his career. This makes him the fifth man after Jimmy Connors (1.274 wins), Roger Federer (1.251), Ivan Lendl (1.068), and Rafael Nadal (1.051).

Djokovic was given a cake with the words “1,000” after the match.

Djokovic: “I was watching Roger and Rafa celebrate those milestones, and I was looking forward for getting to 1,000 myself.” said.

Djokovic will be playing his fifth tournament of this year. His previous best result was last month’s final of the smaller Serbia Open. In the semifinals of Madrid Open, Carlos Alcaraz (19 years old) defeated Djokovic.

Djokovic defeated Ruud, the Norwegian who was the first to break into the top 10 and Djokovic won the opening set 5-1. His shot-making skills were so effective that they negated Ruud’s power.

Ruud had pushed Djokovic out of the doubles alley at one point. The Serb did almost the splits, and he replied with a backhand winner with his racket just inches above the red clay court.

Tsitsipas’s most recent match was against Djokovic in the French Open final last year, where he came back from two sets down and won the trophy.

Tsitsipas was also defeated in five sets by Djokovic in the Roland Garros semis two years back. They went three sets last year when Djokovic won the Rome quarterfinals.

“I have looked back at those matches. They’ve been analyzed,” Tsitsipas said. After two sets of Roland Garros love-ups, there were things that didn’t work out for me. I suppose I was always stubborn, and didn’t like to change my tactics. There’s always another chance to try something else.

Tsitsipas reached three sets in three out of his four matches, after he defeated Jannik Sinner in straight sets during the quarterfinals.

Tsitsipas also played all his matches in the midday sun.

“It’s not been easy. But that’s exactly what I prefer,” says the Greek player. said.

Tsitsipas won the Monte Carlo Masters title last month. He is now aiming to win another clay-court title.

Since 1935, the Italian Open is played at Foro Italico. It has a court lined in neoclassical sculptures.

Tsitsipas: “It’s the tournament with the most history” said. “You can see the Pietrangeli, one of the most stunning stadiums on the site. You feel proud to be able participate in this historic event.

Swiatek has the longest streak by a woman since Serena Williams’ 27-year-old streak in 2014 and 2015. Martina Navratilova has the longest streak, with 74 consecutive wins in 1984.

Swiatek: “I’m constantly surprised myself that I can accomplish better and better,” said. “I feel like I can believe that the sky is the limit. That’s where the fun begins.

Swiatek, who was determined to win her fifth consecutive tournament, dominated Sabalenka, eighth-ranked, with power, consistency, and finesse.

Swiatek: “Today, I felt like the clay was my real understanding.” said.

Sabalenka, a hard-hitting player, took a medical break late in the second set to have her back checked.

Swiatek was the surprise champion at 2020’s French Open when she was ranked No. The 54-year-old Swiatek is the favorite to add another title at Roland Garros next weekend.

Jabeur, who is quickly becoming a French Open contender in the future, saved a match-point late in the third.