Novak Djokovic, affected by a virus at the start of the week, will aim for a 7th title in the Parisian arena and a 40th in Masters 1000, in both cases a record. He will play the 58th Masters 1000 final of his career, another record, against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (17th), who has not won a title since 2017. He reached the final, the second of his career in Masters 1000, at the expense of world No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-7 (7/1), 7-6 (7/3).
Hindered by a “stomach virus” which considerably weakened him, notably in the eighth against the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (23rd), 6-4, the 36-year-old Serbian explained that he felt “really better” after his quarter-final won against the Dane Holger Rune.
But the 36-year-old Serbian initially seemed physically challenged and in difficulty, letting his opponent win the first set 7-5 after sixty minutes of play. In the second set, Djokovic relied on a first ball found and winning shots on the important points to get back to a set everywhere at the end of a controlled tie-break 7-6 (7/3).
“Not bad at 36!”
Massaged for long minutes in the lower back by the physiotherapist, Djokovic nevertheless showed himself solid in the third round. The Russian never gave up, managing to stay in the match. Even being down 0-30 on his serve at 5-4, he kept his put in play.
But this was only to delay the deadline because opposite, the Serb, impeccable on his play, and author of some impressive points, won 7-5, after more than three hours of combat, on the serve from the Russian who ended with a double fault.
“It was a good fight. He played at a very high level, he is one of the players who plays very fast, he gave me a lot of difficulties. I had to rely on a good serve, especially in the tie-break, which gave me confidence and allowed me to achieve this great victory. I am very happy,” he declared on court after the match.
“I already felt fresher than this week, but that’s not bad for a 36-year-old! I hope to be fresher tomorrow. I’ll play against someone I like,” he said. also said. He won his fifth victory against Rublev in six confrontations, whom he will meet again at the Masters in mid-November in Turin.
Facing Dimitrov, whom he will meet in the final, the Serb won eleven times in twelve confrontations, including twice at Bercy (in 2016, then in the semi-final of the 2019 edition).