Greg Rusedski has provided a short preview of the Australian Open final as he is predicting that Novak Djokovic will beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets. Djokovic, 35, and 24-year-old Tsitsipas are set to meet for the second time in a Grand Slam final.
A year and a half ago, Tsitsipas was up by two sets against Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final before Djokovic stormed back to win in five sets. “Djokovic will open up Stefanos forehand to get into his backhand and break down that side.
Tsitsipas is going to have to serve great with variety, be aggressive, come forward as well as bring Novak in when he has a chance to, on his terms. Tough to execute in 5 sets. Novak in 4,” Rusedski wrote on Twitter.
Djokovic will open up Stefanos forehand to get into his backhand and break down that side.Tsitsipas is going to have to serve great with variety ,be aggressive,come forward as well as bring Novak in when he has a chance to,on his terms.
Tough to execute in 5 sets. Novak in 4. — Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) January 27, 2023
What’s on the line for Djokovic and Tsitsipas?
Djokovic is aiming to win his 22nd Grand Slam and tie Rafael Nadal on the all-time Grand Slam record list.
On the other side, Tsitsipas is hoping to beat Djokovic and lift his first Grand Slam title. There is one extra thing on the line for both players – whoever wins the Australian Open will also replace Carlos Alcaraz at the world No 1 spot on Monday.
“Of course it [adds extra significance]. Winning Grand Slams and being the No. 1 in the world are probably the two biggest peaks that you can climb as a professional tennis player. Let’s see what happens,” Djokovic said, per the ATP website.
Going into the final, Djokovic owns a 10-2 head-to-head against Tsitsipas. “It means everything, especially at this stage of my career. I need that engine, I need that energy and I’m really thankful that I still have enough gas in my legs to be able to play in this level on one of the biggest tennis courts in the world,” Djokovic said.
