2021 French Open Men’s Final – Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas on and what time does it start? Sunday 13th June, 2021 – not before 14:00 (UK)
Where is Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas taking place? Stade Roland Garros, Paris
What surface is Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas being played on? Clay (outdoor)
Where can I get tickets for Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas? Click here for the latest ticket information
What channel is Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas on? Both ITV and Eurosport will be showing live coverage of the French Open so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I stream Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas? ITV Hub, Eurosport Player & Amazon Prime Video (in France only)
THE LOWDOWN
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
- World number one Novak Djokovic was at his very best in a semi-final showdown with Rafael Nadal that will go down in Roland-Garros as one of the best matches to grace the tournament.
- The 34-year-old became 13-time Roland-Garros champion Nadal’s third ever defeat at the tournament and now accounts for two of those three losses after beating the Spaniard in 2015’s quarter-finals.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
- World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas was the best player on clay in his half of the Roland-Garros draw and has proved that by reaching the final via a mammoth five-set victory over Alexander Zverev.
- The 22-year-old won his first ATP 1000 event earlier this year on clay at the Monte-Carlo Open and also claimed the Lyon Open on the surface to match Rafael Nadal for most clay titles this season.
THE PREDICTION
World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas may well have hand-picked Novak Djokovic from the two left in the other side of the draw to face in the final after his superb five-set win over Alexander Zverev in the first semi-final. However, having seen the Serb play out one of his best ever performances over four sets on Friday night, Tsitsipas should feel an overwhelming pressure coming from the world number one ahead of what will be an incredible final on Sunday. 34-year-old Djokovic leads their head-to-head record 5-2 and has won all three of their previous meetings on clay, including their last two meetings in the semi-finals of last season’s Roland-Garros and last month in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. In many ways, Tsitsipas has been the most prolific player on clay this season and has the most wins of anybody on tour but there looks like no getting past the truly masterful performance that Djokovic put in on Friday night in front of a spellbound crowd. Tsitsipas is fighting more than just the world number one here but a legacy being made and the caught breath of 5000 fans on Philippe-Chatrier.
After that felling of the king, the Serb is likely to receive a better welcome to a final than he is normally accustomed and he can pull within one Grand Slam of both Nadal and Roger Federer with a win here. That motivation should be too strong a force for even the most determined version of Tsitsipas to counter. Djokovic has an 18-10 record in Grand Slam finals having lost five to Rafael Nadal, two each to Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray and one to Roger Federer over his illustrious career. Tsitsipas could win two sets in this match, even the first two, and it would be hard not to back the Serb to exert his sheer will on winning just his second title here in Paris. There are so many alleyways to go down with this final. It has all the hallmarks of a five-setter, and a valuable punt would be for Djokovic to win this 3-2. However, take the world number one to win here and both players to take a set in what is simply a must-watch occasion.
