Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
TNN

Australian Open final: A lot at stake for Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas

Major breakthrough for Tsitsipas or record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam for Djokovic?

- Stefanos Tsitsipas is bidding to win his first Grand Slam title in his second appearance in a Slam final.

If he wins, he will be the first Greek player to win a Grand Slam.

At 24 years 170 days, Tsitsipas is also bidding to become the youngest man to win the Australian Open title since 2011, when Djokovic (23 years 253 days) defeated Andy Murray (23 years 260 days).

- Victory for Novak Djokovic will see him equal Rafael Nadal's all-time record for most Grand Slam men's singles titles.

He will become the 5th player to win 22 Grand Slam singles titles, after Margaret Court (24 Grand Slam titles), Serena Williams (23), Steffi Graf and Nadal (both 22).

He is also bidding to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open men's singles title.

1/10:Rampant Djokovic to meet Tsitsipas in Australian Open final

2/10:Djokovic surges into 10th Aus Open final

<p>A rampant Novak Djokovic surged into a 10th Australian Open final to close in on a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam crown, with only Stefanos Tsitsipas now standing in his way.<br /><br /></p>AFP

3/10:Djokovic eases past Paul

<p>The Serbian fourth seed overcame an early wobble to romp past unseeded American Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in style.<br /><br /></p>Getty Images

4/10:Djokovic eyes record-equalling 22nd Slam

<p>Another title on Sunday will move him alongside Rafael Nadal with 22 Slam wins and see the 35-year-old return to world number one for the first time since last June.<br /><br /></p>AFP

5/10:Tsitsipas can become first Greek World No.1

<p>Greek third seed Tsitsipas, who ground past Russian 18th seed Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 in the other semi-final, can also become the top-ranked player should he lift the trophy.<br /><br /></p>Getty Images

6/10:Controversy erupts

<p>Djokovic played the clash without father Srdjan courtside after he was filmed posing with a man holding a Russian flag featuring Vladimir Putin's face following his son's quarter-final win on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>AFP

7/10:Djokovic into 33rd Grand Slam final

<p>"I'm really thankful that I have enough gas in my legs to be able to play at this level on one of the biggest tennis courts in the world," said Djokovic, who is now 11-0 for the season and into a 33rd Grand Slam final.<br /><br /><br /></p>Getty Images

8/10:Unbeaten streak

<p>The win extended Djokovic's unbeaten streak at the Australian Open to 27 matches to claim sole ownership of the Open-era record at Melbourne Park ahead of Andre Agassi.<br /><br /></p>Getty Images

9/10:'Explosive & dynamic' Paul

<p>Djokovic had never played Paul before and said he was wary of a "very explosive, very dynamic player", with the American initially refusing to go quietly.<br /><br /></p>Getty Images

10/10:Novak's early attack

<p>The Serb, a hot favourite, attacked his opponent's straight away for an early break, then broke again when the 35th-ranked Paul fired a forehand long to race 5-1 in front.<br /><br /></p>Getty Images
Rampant Djokovic to meet Tsitsipas in Australian Open final

BATTLE FOR NO. 1 TOO

- For the second consecutive Grand Slam men's singles final, the winner is guaranteed to become world No. 1

Tsitsipas will become the 29th player to be ranked No. 1 since the introduction of the ATP rankings in 1973 if he wins.

Djokovic will begin his 374th week as world No. 1 if he wins, extending his record for most weeks as world No. 1.

- The loser will be ranked No. 3 on Monday.

For Tsitsipas, this will equal his career-high ranking. For Djokovic, this will be his highest ranking since June last year.

Current world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will drop to No. 2 regardless of the outcome.

(AFP Photo)

- Head-to-head: Djokovic leads 10-2

- This is the 13th meeting for Tsitsipas and Djokovic, their 8th meeting on a hard court and their 3rd meeting at a Grand Slam.

Djokovic is bidding to extend a nine-match winning streak against Tsitsipas, with the Greek having not recorded a victory against Djokovic since October 2019, when he won their quarterfinal match at Shanghai-1000.

- This is the pair's 6th meeting in a Tour-level final and their second meeting in a Grand Slam final.

Djokovic has won all five of their previous meetings in tournament finals, including their only previous meeting in a Slam final, when he recovered from 0-2 down to win in five sets at Roland Garros 2021.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.