Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas - LIVE: Australian Open result as emotional Djokovic wins 22nd grand slam
Follow live reaction as Djokovic triumphed 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 over Tsitsipas to equal Rafael Nadal’s men’s singles grand slam titles record
Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to win a 10th Australian Open and move level with Rafael Nadal on a men’s record 22 grand slam titles.
The Serbian was deported from Australia 12 months ago amid a political storm over his exemption for the Covid vaccine, but has made a triumphant return to the court with a historic victory on Rod Laver Arena.
The 35-year-old defeated Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in just under three hours to maintain his perfect record in Australian Open finals. Djokovic has now won all 10 of his showpiece appearances in Melbourne and extends his winning streak at Melbourne Park to 28 matches.
It also moves Djokovic level with Nadal in the grand slam race, after the Spaniard edged ahead by winning the Australian Open in Djokovic’s absence and the French Open to reach a men’s record 22 titles.
Follow live reaction from the Australian Open men’s final, below:
Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Yeah, much better from Tsitsipas, the serve allows him to swing more freely on the forehand from inside the court, and he gets another hold to love.
The scoreboard pressure will help him in this second set, too, as he serves first before Djokovic.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Tsitsipas is serving better now, that was clear in the closing stages of the opening set. It gets him the opening hold of serve quite comfortably, but Djokovic too is able to rattle out a hold, with a serve being followed by another forehand winner and a continuation of the one-two punch.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas* - Djokovic wins the first set!
Tsitsipas is able to get the better of another baseline exchange but the kick serve from Djokovic, wide and high to the Tsitipas backhand, brings up two set points.
Tsitsipas stretches on the Djokovic first serve, and the Serbian takes the first big step towards a 10th Australian Open title.
That was a sublime set, against a very good player in Tsitsipas. He made it look easy. He won 17 of 18 points on his first serve...
Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 5-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Ahead of the second set there is at least some encouragement for Tsitsipas, as he belts two more aces out wide. If he can increase that first-serve percentage he will have less problems.
Djokovic, though, can close it out next.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 5-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Djokovic has won 13 of 14 first serve points to start this final - a staggering percentage of 93 per cent. It’s just so accurate, and it allows him to open the court on the forehand.
He moves a game away from the opening the set.
Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 4-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas looks to change it up and come forward, but Djokovic just steers the backhand winner past him.
Tsitsipas puts away the backhand winner down the line off the first serve, but then nets on the forehand.
An ace gets him to 30-30, before a rare baseline error from Djokovic. The Greek fans are desperately trying to rally Tsitsipas, and he gets his hold with an ace out wide.
But the 24-year-old is having to fight and scrap for every hold right now.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 4-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
This is a different Tsitsipas to the player we have seen all tournament. In getting to the final he was so confident in taking charge of the points and opening up on his forehand, but Djokovic isn’t allowing him to take that approach so far.
Djokovic again jumps into a 40-0 lead. Tsitsipas gets his drop shot wrong and Djokovic can smack away a forehand winner crosscourt.
Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 3-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas - Djokovic breaks!
If the tennis is this good all match, we’re in for a treat. Tsitsipas wins a 25-shot rally off a forehand volley at the net, after both players probed and tested their opponent on each wing.
Djokovic, though, is applying serious pressure early on and Tsitsipas needs another ace out wide to get to 30-30.
Djokovic pushes a forehand right into the corner and Tsitsipas hacks a return wide - setting up another break point.
Double fault from Tsitsipas! That is the pressure showing through. Djokovic gets the break.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 2-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Djokovic jumps to 40-0 in the blink of an eye, before steering a backhand winner down the line to hold to love.
The crowd of Djokovic fans outside the Rod Laver Arena is quite something - a red wave of Serbian shirts.
Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 1-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Djokovic’s defence draws the first two errors from Tsitsipas - and the Greek is faced with a tricky spot already at 0-30.
Ace from Tsitsipas, but then Djokovic extends the rally and targets the Tsitsipas backhand, which is loose and flies long.
Two break points: and another big serve from Tsitsipas down the middle.
Djokovic’s return is extraordinary on the next point, but he then goes long on the forehand!
Deuce: another baseline exchange goes in Tsitsipas’ favour, as Djokovic goes long.
Ace from Tsitsipas out wide! Wow - that’s some hold from 15-40.
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