ThrowbackTimes Madrid: Novak Djokovic joins Rafael Nadal on 33 titles

After three mediocre results at Masters 1000 series in 2019, Novak Djokovic found his A-game in Madrid, beating Taylor Fritz, Jeremy Chardy, Dominici Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas for the second trophy of the season. Novak took down Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 32 minutes in the title match, controlling the pace from start to finish to conquer Masters 1000 crown number 33 and join Rafael Nadal at the top of the list. It was the second final at this level for Tsitsipas after Toronto 2018, and it came after beating Rafael Nadal in a thrilling match on Saturday night, not having enough energy to give his best against world no. 1 on the next day.

Stefanos toppled Novak in Toronto on the previous summer but stood no chance at Caja Magica, reaching only one deuce on the return and never creating a break point. On the other hand, Novak broke the youngster once in each set to bring the match home in style and conquer the third Madrid crown, the first since 2016.

Novak Djokovic secured 33rd Masters 1000 title in Madrid 2019 to match Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic did everything right on the court, taming rival's shots and delivering a fine package of offensive tennis with a solid defense to leave Tsitsipas behind and cross the finish line first, hitting 28 winners and just 18 unforced errors. Stefanos counted to 19 winners and 21 mistakes, and he failed to follow Novak's pace in the shortest and mid-range rallies, as the Serb made a crucial difference with the first groundstroke after the serve.

Novak settled into a beautiful rhythm right from the start, breaking Stefanos in the second game after a loose forehand from the Greek and staying in front all the time, sealing the opener with a service winner in game nine for 6-3 after 41 minutes. Stefanos fought harder in set number two, fending off two break points in game three and serving to extend the set at 4-4. Djokovic shifted into a higher gear when it mattered the most and broke the rival at 15 after Stefanos' forehand error that sent him in front. The Serb converted the fourth match point on his serve a few minutes later to celebrate the first ATP title since the Australian Open and the 33rd Masters 1000 trophy in his rich collection. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3fNVFwN