Google News Novak Djokovic defeats Grigor Dimitrov: the highlights of his historic victory
by LORENZO CIOTTI
Novak Djokovic triumphed at the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy, defeating Grigor Dimotrov in two sets. Last June 11, the Serbian champion made history at Roland Garros by winning the 23rd Major of his career and becoming the tennis player with the most Slams won.
The Serb, in a week in which he had to deal with stomach problems and opponents willing to do anything to beat him, lit up the symbol of France by adding the 97th title and the 40th Masters 1000 to his rich trophy case. The seventh success recorded in Paris-Bercy put him faced with arduous challenges, three matches ending in the third set, but Djokovic responded and fought with the personality of the great champion.
Numbers that become even more profound considering only 2023. There are 33 matches won on hard courts this season, net of just one defeat; 31 victories obtained in the last 32 matches starting from the French Open. The 36-year-old triumphed at both the Roland Garros and the Rolex Paris Masters for the second time: the first occurred in 2021.
Novak Djokovic defeats Grigor Dimitrov: the highlights
In the final of the Paris Masters 1000, Djokovic defeated Grigor Dimitrov with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Both tried to put their tactics into practice at the start of the match.
Djokovic often relied on his serve in complicated moments, but he did not shy away from the battle set up by his rival; while Dimitrov tried to impose his pace by varying a lot with the slice. The first moment of difficulty for Djokovic appeared at 1-2, when he was forced to resort to advantages.
The Bulgarian continued to collect points, but in the seventh game he offered a break point to the Serbian. Djokovic didn't hesitate for a second and hit an excellent return; However, it was handled very badly by Dimitrov who made a bad mistake with his backhand and an exit from serve.
Djokovic did not tremble and closed the set by winning 88% of the points with his first serve with a significant 14/16. The data relating to rallies exceeding nine shots is also important, because the Serbian has collected 10 out of 14: more than half.
The trend of the dispute did not change in the second half of the game: Djokovic did not interrupt the discreet roadmap in his serves and Dimitrov remained faithful to his scheme. Ahead 30-0 at 2-2, the Bulgarian suddenly became foul and gave away the break with three free throws: two with the forehand and one, the last, with a weightless backhand that ended meters beyond the baseline.
The current number 17 in the world ranking dodged the knockout punch in the seventh game, saving himself with an exceptional forehand that redesigned the line. The knockout came a few minutes late. Below the highlights shares by Tennis TV YouTube account: