History made on Swiss clay!
Novak Djokovic has won his first ever title in Geneva, and it is a big one.
This victory marks the 100th title of his amazing career! The 24-time Grand Slam champion pulled off a tough comeback win over the 6th seed Hubert Hurkacz with a 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) triumph after three hours and five minutes of high level tennis.
With this win, Novak becomes only the third man in tennis history to reach 100 ATP titles, joining the legendary Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
In the first set, both players held serve until the very end. Novak had break point chances in the fifth game but missed them. Then, at 5-6, he double-faulted twice in a row, handing the set to his rival. The Polish player edged out the set with slightly better serving and fewer mistakes.
In the second set, Novak had chances to break early, but Hurkacz saved them with strong serving. Novak played aggressively, especially at the net, and he looked sharp. The set went to a tie-break, and this time Novak took control, staying calm and focused while Hurkacz struggled under pressure. Both had 17 winners, but Novak made fewer mistakes and took the set 7-6 (2).
The decisive set didn’t start well for Novak. He lost his serve right away and trailed 1-3. The Serbian star couldn’t win a single point on the Pole’s first three service games. But at two hours and 40 minutes into the match, Novak finally got a break chance and consolidated it. He tied it up at 4-4, and once again, they headed into a tie-break. Novak again stayed cool under pressure and finished the match in style.
“I had to work for it, that’s for sure. Hubi was probably closer to victory in the entire match than I was,” Djokovic said. “I had some chances in the first set to break his serve, then had a bad game which ended up with the double fault on set point. I was just trying to hang in there, I don’t know how I broke his serve. He probably broke himself in the third, when he was 4-3 up, but this is what happens at the highest level. Very few points decide the winner. Incredible match, 7-6 in the third with a full stadium, beautiful atmosphere. I’m just grateful to clinch the 100th here.”
The Geneva tournament win is Novak’s first title in 2025, and the perfect warm-up for the second Major event of the season, the Roland Garros, which starts tomorrow.
Novak will face American Mackenzie McDonald (ATP no. 99) in the first round in Paris on Tuesday. The two have never played each other before.
Photo: AP
