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
Snoop Dogg Brings Out Huntrix, Lainey Wilson for Netflix NFL Christmas Halftime Show

Snoop Dogg Brings Out Huntrix, Lainey Wilson for Netflix NFL Christmas Halftime Show

Snoop Dogg took over for the NFL’s second-ever Christmas Halftime show on Thursday evening, enlisting a star-studded set of cameos from the likes of Lainey Wilson, the singers behind KPop Demon Hunters‘ Huntrix, and a book-end cameo from the veteran rapper’s longtime pal Martha Stewart to help him out. Netflix confirmed Snoop as the halftime performer over a week ago for the Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game. The streaming service also aired the Cowboys-Commanders game earlier today, while t


O A

Oscars to Stream Exclusively on YouTube from 2029

Oscars to Stream Exclusively on YouTube from 2029

The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube from 2029, marking a major shift away from traditional broadcast television. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday that it had signed a multi-year agreement granting YouTube exclusive global streaming rights to the Oscars through 2033. Under the deal, the ceremony will be broadcast live and free on YouTube, ending more than five decades of television coverage on ABC.


O A

Venus Williams Weds Italian Actor Andrea Preti

Venus Williams Weds Italian Actor Andrea Preti

Venus Williams, the American tennis superstar, has tied the knot with Andrea Preti, the Italian actor. The couple took to their respective social media pages to share photos from the ceremony that was held in Florida over the weekend. “Mr and Mrs Preti, a dream come true,” Venus wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Venus Williams (@venuswilliams) On his part, Andrea added: “Mr and Mrs Preti, it’s a kind of magic my beautiful wife @venuswilliams”. Venus looked stunning i


O A

Drake Surprises Streamer BonDaDonnn With a Rolls-Royce Christmas Gift

Drake Surprises Streamer BonDaDonnn With a Rolls-Royce Christmas Gift

Drake delivered a holiday surprise that stunned fans and lit up social media this week. The Grammy-winning rapper gifted a Rolls-Royce to streamer BonDaDonnn during a live broadcast. The moment unfolded late Christmas Eve during a widely watched stream. Viewers saw BonDaDonnn step outside before realizing what waited curbside. “Oh my God, there is no way this is real,” BonDaDonnn said on stream. He paused, hands shaking, before repeating, “This is actually insane.” The luxury vehicle arrived


O A