Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas in Astana Open final to win his 90th career ATP title. Tsitsipas falls just short of matching Djokovic’s record of 92 WTA titles, won in 2003 and 2005.
Djokovic def. Tsitsipas in straight sets
Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is where Djokovic and Tsitsipas first met as teenagers. Djokovic beat Tsitsipas on clay at Astana that year, then again on grass at the Open Montpellier that Fall. Djokovic has played against Tsitsipas 11 times, most recently at the 2017 French Open. Djokovic wins the first set in 45 minutes. While the crowd is behind Tsitsipas, Djokovic is up 3-0 and Tsitsipas is down 0-2 in the 2nd after Tsitsipas double faulted on the first point. The pair had a 5-point lead in set 1 but Djokovic won 6 of 8 points. Djokovic now has 4 career wins over Tsitsipas. Djokovic wins the opening set in 2 hours and 6 minutes. Tsitsipas saves a match point in the third game to open the 5th set at 2-2. Tsitsipas hits a forehand down the line to go 3-2 up. Tsitsipas then saves a set point at deuce in the 7th and the next 4 in a row to go 4-2 up. Tsitsipas’ best chance came later in the set. They trailed 3-1, Tsitsipas’ serve has been broken in all 4 sets and Djokovic took the next 2. Djokovic breaks Tsitsipas’ serve to go up 2-3 and will close out the set. Tsitsipas then takes the first two points of the 2nd to 3-1 in Djokovic’s favor. Djokovic holds to love after Tsitsipas double faults on his first serve to go 3-1 up