PARIS — Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece to win the French Open on Sunday, coming back from two sets down for his second stunning triumph in less than 48 hours.
The five-set victory, which lasted four hours, capped a stirring tournament for Djokovic, who beat the 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal in a thrilling semifinal Friday night.
It was the second triumph of the year in a Grand Slam event for Djokovic, who won the Australian Open in February, and the 19th of his career, just one behind Nadal and Roger Federer, who are tied for the career lead among men with 20.
Djokovic, 34, has said ending his career with more Grand Slam titles than anyone in history is one of the main motivations that keeps him playing tennis.
He is now halfway to a Grand Slam — winning all four major tennis tournaments in a single year, something that no man has accomplished in more than 50 years. He is the defending champion at Wimbledon, which begins in two weeks.
Best not to bet against him.
Djokovic has won Wimbledon five times, and he has won 12 Grand Slam titles on hardcourts, including three at the U.S. Open, which will take place in New York at the end of the summer.
Tsitsipas, 22, is one of the rising stars of pro tennis. He was playing in his first Grand Slam event final and was not expected to upset a player who has no equal in his sport at the moment, though he came close.
The match followed the four-set duel that Djokovic played against Nadal two days earlier. Djokovic immediately called that match one of the greatest of his career. It was easily his greatest win in Paris. This one was likely a close second, requiring Djokovic to recover from a violent tumble on the clay in the first set, which staggered him badly.
The title was Djokovic’s second at the French Open. He is now the only male player of the modern era to have won every Grand Slam tournament twice.
Source : NYtimes
