Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas started their Masters with a fourth confrontation this season. Fans of the circuit could have an idea of the outcome of this Turin episode since Djokovic had won three times, only losing a set during the Rolex Paris Masters ten days ago. Above all, the Serb is on a series of eight straight wins over the Greek. Was the latter going to be able to overthrow his executioner?
Not this time, alas, with a solid victory for the former world number 1 (6-4, 7-6 [4]). Immediately in the match, Djokovic broke from the start. Too passive, Tsitsipas was prevented from entering this set properly. And, as so often, Djokovic has wonderfully tightened the game each time he felt the dawn of revolt in his opponent. Riding on his initial advantage, Djokovic logically won the first set. Without showing his very best tennis, but by being brutally effective.
Tsitsipas performed better in the second set. First of all, he served much better (69% of points behind his first in the first set against 88% in the second). He was even the first to get a break point. But Djokovic controlled the exchange and ended with a perfect smash to stay in contact (2-2). But we felt that Tsitsipas was finally in the game. In particular, he made a huge service game, concluded by a drop shot that left Djokovic on the spot, to lead 5-4. Obviously, the public was delighted.
Djokovic, he continued to serve regularly on the backhand of Tsitsipas to take control of the exchange from the second stroke. Nobody giving up his service, it was necessary to go through a tie-break.
Djokovic achieved one of the points of the match there with an incredible backhand passing at the end of the race for the mini-break (3-1). He was going to come off 5-1 in stride. Tsitsipas was going to come back to 5-4, but Djokovic was intractable on his last two services. The latter even offered him the match. Thanks to this victory in two sets, here he is at the top of the red group.