Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic Beats Stefanos Tsitsipas In Straight Sets To Level Rafael Nadal's Record Grand Slam Tally

Djokovic won the second and the third set in tie-breaker to script history on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning championship point in the Men’s Singles Final against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during day 14 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia

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Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic defeated Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to win his 22nd Grand Slam title. With the win he extended his Grand Slam tally to 22 and now stands levelled with Rafael Nadal who also has the same number of Grand Slam wins. Djokovic won the match in straight sets overcoming his opponent 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Tsitsipas was at set point in the second set but Djokovic was in no mood to let the World number 1 ranking slip away or lose the chance to win his 10th Australian open. Tsitsipas produced a great show throughout, especially in his service game, but did not have the depth required to beat a champion player of Djokovic's class.

Learning perhaps from his previous experience of facing the Greek in a Grand Slam final at the Roland Garros in the 2021 final where the Serbian was two sets down, Djokovic did not allow his opponent to get on top of him and was at his best in the first set. Tsitsipas did put on an improved show in the last two sets but Djokovic, nearing the set point and the match respectively, needed no second invitation to pounce on the opportunity.

Fantastic fortnight for these two 👏

#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/r6KGiIHgnQ

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023

The 24-year-old's best chance of a comeback in the match was in the second itself where he had even got himself on the verge of making 1 set apiece but just couldn't get cease the set point. Once in the tie-breaker, Novak was always going to be at an advantageous position, bringing all his experience into play.

It wasn't the most dramatic of victories for Djokovic as he won in straight sets but the celebrations from the 35-year-old hinted that the win surely meant a lot to him. It is pertinent to note that the man was deported from the country last year owing to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19 but what a comeback he has stitched Down Under.

This is definitely not your last grand slam: Djokovic to Tsitsipas

"This is definitely not your last grand slam. You have lots of time, more than me. I still think you are very interesting. We are small countries that don’t have a tennis tradition. The message for any young tennis player around the world who is dreaming of being where Stefanos and I are: dream big. It doesn’t matter where you are coming from," Djokovic said to his opponent after his triumph during the on-court interview.

"This has been one of the most difficult tournaments, considering the circumstances. not playing last year coming back this year. I want to thank all the people who made me feel comfortable. There is a reason I have been playing may best tennis here," he added.

"Only the team and the family know what we have been through. I would say this is the biggest victory in my life, considering the circumstances," he said.