ATP Rome: 6th Roman triumph for Djokovic, against Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6

If he wanted to send a message to a week of Roland-Garros, it’s successful. Novak Djokovic returned to great form and ended a perfect week for him in Rome on Sunday, where he won the timpani for the 6th time in his career. Author of a breathtaking start to the final, the world number 1 mastered Stefanos Tsitsipas in two sets (6-0, 7-6) and just over an hour and a half of play (1h36 precisely). This is the 38th Masters 1000 title for him – a record, two lengths ahead of Rafael Nadal -, the 87th trophy in his immense career and the… first in 2022.

Already on the right track by his own admission last week in Madrid, despite his epic semi-final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic has confirmed in the best possible way that he is back to his best. level in the Eternal City. This Sunday, he may have given the real kick-off to his season after an almost blank first quarter due to his non-vaccination. He proved that once the rhythm of the competition was found, he remained until proven otherwise the real boss of the circuit.

A first set close to perfection

And it is not Stefanos Tsitsipas who will say the opposite. While he is unquestionably one of the best players this spring on earth with a title in Monte Carlo, a half in Madrid and therefore a final in Rome, the Greek simply did not exist for the first 30 minutes of this game. Overwhelmed by the precision on the return of Djokovic, constantly caught up in speed, forced to step back and play on the back, he lived a nightmare from the start. Ruthless, giving the impression of not being able to miss the exchange, the world number 1 seemed to be on the move and most logically in the world inflicted a « bubble » (6-0) on his opponent.

To put it clearly, the two players did not practice the same sport in this first round, as the Serb’s timing was prodigious. But Tsitsipas fought. And if the Greek has not completely regained his tennis of 2021, mentally, his foundations have become solid again. More efficient on the first ball at the start of the second act, he took advantage of a slight drop in speed from Djokovic in the 4th game to break on his first opportunity (6-0, 1-3). From then on, the dynamic changed, with Tsitsipas even getting a double break opportunity two games later.

The beautiful reaction of Tsitsipas was not enough

But this knockout ball, Djokovic saved her from a marvel of winning cross backhand of which he has the secret. And by holding on, he regained some of his intensity from the start of the game. As Tsitsipas served to equalize one set all at 5-3, the world number 1 once again exerted suffocating pressure on the raise which paid off. The Greek went back to decentering (20 unforced errors for 8 small winning shots) while maintaining his quality of service. It all came down to the tie-break, and in the exercise, the Serb was still the strongest under pressure.

Winner 7 points to 5 on a last backhand fault from his rival, Djokovic could be happy and see his coach Goran Ivanisevic exult in the stands of Foro Italico. The crossing of the desert at the start of the season is well and truly over and the confidence of the world number 1 has reinvigorated. To win in this way without having dropped the slightest set of the week also says a lot about his motivation. To snatch the Coupe des Mousquetaires from his hands, you will have to get up early.