Will Nole go through the final without dropping a set?

With the final on Sunday afternoon in Rome, another spectacular week of tennis on the ATP Tour comes to an end. With Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas, two players have made it to the final who were already on the cards before the tournament began. In the absence of perhaps the best player in the world at the moment, Carlos Alcaraz, we will definitely get to see a worthy final in the Italian capital.

If we look at the bookmakers’ odds before the duel between Djokovic and Tsitsipas, it becomes clear that the Serbian world number one is the clear favourite. No wonder, because the “joker” did not drop a single set on his way to this final. All four matches played ended with straight 2:0 victories. His Greek opponent had to play three sets more and consequently left more energy behind.

While the winner of the Monte Carlo tournament can never be underestimated on clay, Novak Djokovic is still the best player on tour when he is near his top form. Thanks to his consistency in groundstrokes, the few unforced errors and his strengths on the return, we also dare to predict that between Djokovic and Tsitsipas a forecast on the polarising Serb will pay off.

Novak Djokovic – Statistics & current form

In recent weeks and months, there has been much discussion about Novak Djokovic and his vaccination status. The highlight of this debate, which is now dying down slightly, was his non-participation in the Australian Open in January. Even after that, the world number one made himself scarce on the tour and only really returned on clay.

If anyone knows how to build up his form in view of a major event, it is certainly the experienced Djokovic, who has recently improved from week to week or even from match to match. After an early exit in Monte Carlo, he reached the final at his home tournament in Belgrade, then the semi-finals in Madrid and now the title match again in Rome. There is much to suggest that the Serb will go into the final week of preparation for the French Open with a trophy in his luggage.

Djokovic still without losing a set in Rome

The “Joker” has been absolutely convincing in the tournament week so far. In none of his four matches did the long-time industry leader drop a set, only in the quarter-finals against the strong-playing Felix Auger-Aliassime did he have to play a tie-break. The semi-final against Casper Ruud, however, was a demonstration of power and a clear indication that the Serb is in strong form.

Consequently, in the final between Djokovic and Tsitsipas, we are definitely leaning towards the world number one, who now has a 12:4 record over the year. However, the multiple Grand Slam champion has so far failed to win a tournament. That should now change on Sunday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas – Statistics & current form

Traditionally, clay court is the best surface for Stefanos Tsitsipas. In 2021, the Greek already reached the final of the French Open on the red clay of Paris, but lost to his upcoming opponent Novak Djokovic. Nevertheless, it must be said that the current world number five is one of the most dangerous opponents on this surface.

This was also the experience of Alexander Zverev on Saturday afternoon, who lost out in the end despite leading 1:0 in the set. For Tsitsipas, it was his 14th win in his 16th match on clay this season. Only the quarter-final in Barcelona against Carlos Alcaraz and the semi-final in Madrid against Zverev were lost by the man from Athens. He won the Masters in Monte Carlo, however, which means that the right-hander has had a very strong clay-court season so far

Tsitsipas keeps having lapses

Nevertheless, this Rome week also made it clear that the 23-year-old is subject to extreme fluctuations in his game. He dropped a set against Grigor Dimitrov after leading 5:3 and also lost a completely unnecessary set against Khachanov.

In three out of four cases, the Greek had to go into a deciding set, which could have an influence on the final because the strain was much higher and Tsitsipas has never missed an important clay tournament so far. The issue of fatigue could therefore become a factor and, between Djokovic and Tsitsipas, support the odds on the Serb winning as the favourite.

Novak Djokovic – Stefanos Tsitsipas Direct comparison / H2H record

Nine matches have already been played between the two stars on tour. Nole leads the direct comparison with six wins compared to three losses. The last four matches have also all gone to the world number one, who has also always had the upper hand in four matches on clay. Another interesting fact is that this encounter has taken place four times in a final, with the Serb, who has strong nerves, always coming out on top. Will this trend continue on Sunday?

Novak Djokovic – Stefanos Tsitsipas tip

The final in Rome has it all. In the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas managed to fight their way through to this final. However, because the world number one has not dropped a set so far and his Greek opponent has had to go to the deciding set in three out of four, it is understandable that lower betting odds are offered on the Serb between Djokovic and Tsitsipas.

Nole has made a solid impression so far, has few weaknesses and is always there when his opponent is slightly weaker. Since Tsitsipas has weakened at times in the tournament so far, we are convinced that the industry leader will live up to his role as favourite.