France's Novak Djokovic was at a disadvantage early in the match against Casper Ruud at the 2023 Roland Garros final.
Djokovic lost the serve game
In the first service game, Djokovic had to save a break-point with a heavy forehand. Ruud then had a second break-point with a good attack, but Djokovic saved it with a forehand down the line winner.
Game play saw five times in a row. On the third break-point, Djokovic smashed and lost his serve. Ruud led 2-0 in the first set.
The match begins
Ruud won all four points in the opening service game. Djokovic dropped twice in this game, but both times he did not score.
Two players pose for a photo before the final match. Photo: Reuters
Philippe Chatrier stadium roof opens
The central stadium's roof was opened again after the organizers realized that the possibility of rain was not high. According to the weather forecast in Paris, it could only rain from 5pm (local time), or 10pm Hanoi time.
Djokovic received enthusiastic cheers from Serbian fans on his way to Philippe Chatrier Stadium.
Close the roof of Philippe Chatrier Stadium
Due to overcast skies and the possibility of rain, the roof of the Philippe Chatrier stadium was closed ahead of the match. This will cause the ball to hit heavier and bounce lower than usual.
Parameters at Roland Garros 2023
Djokovic Parameter Ruud 89 Winner right handed 105 56 Left-handed winner 19 173 Self-inflicted forehand error 169 160 Self-inflicted backhand error 134 64% Net Point Win Rate 73% In the series of less than five racquets at the tournament, Djokovic won 96 more points than his opponents (408 won, 312 lost). Ruud won 100 more points than his opponents (436 won, 336 lost).
The difference comes in rallies of five or more hits. Djokovic wins 60 more points than his opponents, while Ruud wins just 18 more.
Zverev: 'Djokovic is only human'
Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud's semi-final defeat, believes the Norwegian has a chance to reach the final because Djokovic is under pressure to claim a record 23rd Grand Slam. "Djokovic is a human being like us," Zverev said. "Everyone feels the pressure on him. So I think this is the best chance for Ruud if he wants to beat Djokovic."
Zverev congratulates Ruud after the 2023 Roland Garros semi-final. Photo: AP
Zverev also said that Ruud's presence in the final was not due to luck, but due to his ability. However, the German tennis player did not put all his faith in his Norwegian colleague, because he thought that Nole's chances of winning were still higher.
Opta rates Djokovic's chances of winning at 79%, while Ruud has a 21% chance of winning.
Djokovic - Ruud: Single record?
France's Novak Djokovic will claim a record 23 Grand Slams if he beats Casper Ruud in the 2023 Roland Garros final.
Ruud vs Djokovic in Roland Garros final
France's Casper Ruud reached the Roland Garros final for the second consecutive year, after defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 on June 9.
Djokovic beats Alcaraz in Roland Garros semi-finals
France's Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in the 2023 Roland Garros semi-finals, in a match where the young Spanish player suffered an injury.
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Djokovic is on a high at Philippe Chatrier today. In addition to the chance to surpass Rafael Nadal to claim the Grand Slam record, Nole will make history as the first male tennis player to win each Grand Slam at least three times. If he wins, he will also reclaim the world number one spot from Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic is the only player to reach at least seven finals at every Grand Slam tournament. He has already broken many milestones in tennis history. The man tasked with stopping Djokovic from achieving the next record is Casper Ruud, the best product of the Nadal academy. Last year, in his first Grand Slam final, Ruud won only six games in a heavy defeat to the "King of Clay". This year, the 24-year-old has improved significantly in experience and class. This is his third Grand Slam final, after two runner-up finishes at Roland Garros and the US Open last year.
Djokovic (right) has won all four encounters with Ruud, including twice in the Rome Masters semi-finals. Photo: AP
Clay is Ruud's forte. Since 2020, the 24-year-old has won the most ATP matches on this surface, with 87, far ahead of Djokovic (54). Even though he was not at his best in the early months of this year, Ruud still won his 10th ATP title in Estoril and reached the semi-finals of the Clay Masters in Rome.
However, facing Djokovic in a five-set tie will be one of the biggest tests of Ruud's career. The 36-year-old has won 20 straight Grand Slam matches, and will not be deterred no matter how good a start his junior gets. Djokovic has also won all four previous meetings with Ruud without dropping a set.
Both have come through the previous rounds impressively. Djokovic has only dropped two sets in six matches at the tournament, becoming the second oldest player to reach the Roland Garros final in history. In the biggest challenge, Carlos Alcaraz, in the semi-finals, Nole played brilliantly in the first set, before "brutally" winning the third and fourth sets thanks to his opponent's cramp. Ruud has been playing better and better, easily eliminating two big opponents Holger Rune and Alexander Zverev in the last two rounds.
Both will try to take the pressure off by treating this as a normal match, rather than a Grand Slam final. Ruud says he will put aside emotions and expectations of winning, playing on “autopilot”. Djokovic is preparing for a long match, and will only talk about history if he wins.
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