Djokovic Battles Past Hurkacz to Claim 100th ATP Title
#image_title

Djokovic Battles Past Hurkacz to Claim 100th ATP Title


Share this post

Novak Djokovic became just the third man to win 100 ATP titles with a typically dramatic comeback victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open on Saturday.

The 38-year-old, playing in Switzerland in a bid to find form ahead of the French Open, recovered from losing the first set to clinch a 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2) win after three hours and five minutes on court.

Djokovic joins Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only players with a century of tour titles.

"I had to work for it, that's for sure. He was probably closer to the victory the entire match than me," said Djokovic, who is the first man to win titles in 20 consecutive years.

"I was just trying to hang in there... this is what happens at this level. A few points decide it, an incredible match... and I'm delighted to clinch the 100 here."

It was the former world number one's first tournament triumph since clinching his maiden Olympic gold medal against Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Games last summer.

Djokovic had lost both of his previous matches on clay this season prior to the Geneva tournament, against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters respectively.

But he decided to play at the low-key clay-court event in a bid to find form ahead of the start of the year's second Grand Slam event on Sunday at Roland Garros, where the Serb will be targeting a record-breaking 25th major singles trophy.

It was Djokovic's first tournament since splitting from coach and old rival Andy Murray, but he showed no ill-effects.

Poland's former world number six Hurkacz, now ranked 31st, is still waiting for his first title since April 2024.

"It's really inspiring how you conduct yourself on and off the court," Hurkacz said to Djokovic.

The three-time Roland Garros champion starts his French Open campaign against American Mackenzie McDonald on either Monday or Tuesday.

After a tight start, Djokovic saw two break points come and go in the fifth game as Hurkacz battled to keep the first set on serve.

The opener appeared to be meandering towards a ti-break until Djokovic cracked in game 12, following a loose forehand at deuce with a double-fault on set point to give Hurkacz a one-set advantage.

Hurkacz dug deep to secure a hard-fought hold to kick off the second set, staving off another break point.

The second set followed a similar pattern to the first, but this time Djokovic was able to hold at 6-5 down to force a tie-break with an ace.

The Serb found his groove in the breaker, reeling off four straight points to send the match into a deciding set.

But Djokovic immediately gave up his serve in the first game of the third set, serving a double-fault when 40-30 up and then blasting a backhand long on break point.

Hurkacz then reeled off three successive holds to love to edge towards the title, only to crumble in the eighth game of the decider with two unforced errors and a double-fault to gift Djokovic a way back into the final.

The Pole gathered himself to secure a deciding tie-break in a tense 12th game.

But he crumbled at the crucial moments with back-to-back errors from 3-2 behind in the breaker, leaving Djokovic to reach yet another milestone in his illustrious career with an ace.


Share this post
Comments

Be the first to know

Join our community and get notified about upcoming stories

Subscribing...
You've been subscribed!
Something went wrong
Dope or Nope?  A Nuclear Reactor on the Moon?  Trump makes aim for 2030

Dope or Nope? A Nuclear Reactor on the Moon? Trump makes aim for 2030

NASA plans to put a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 to provide reliable, high-output power for sustained human presence, overcoming the challenges of lunar night and harsh conditions. This project aims for a 100-kilowatt reactor capable of powering a lunar base, which is about the electricity usage of 70 to 80 American homes.wired+2 The motivation behind this initiative is that solar energy alone is insufficient on the Moon due to the long lunar night lasting about two weeks, making continu


Elliot O

Elliot O

The Dope List.  Songs that are trending in August of 2025

The Dope List. Songs that are trending in August of 2025

The Top Songs in the World (August 2025) As of August 2025, the global music scene is vibrant and ever-changing, with several new releases and recurring chart-toppers captivating audiences worldwide. Here’s a look at the songs dominating the charts, excluding any content about Gunna. 1. “The Subway” — Chappell Roan Chappell Roan’s “The Subway” soared to the top spot on numerous global charts this month. This track, fueled by strong streaming numbers and digital sales, is Roan's second chart-


Elliot O

Elliot O

Anthony Joshua's next potential Opponent might shock you

Anthony Joshua's next potential Opponent might shock you

Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are in advanced negotiations for a boxing match potentially set for early 2026, with both camps publicly confirming serious interest in staging one of the sport’s most unusual and commercially ambitious showdowns.usatoday+3 Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s long-time promoter, has repeatedly stated that Jake Paul is now the “leading contender” to face Anthony Joshua in the near future and believes the fight will “likely” happen at the start of 2026. Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs), a for


Elliot O

Elliot O