It was certain that history will be made in the 2023 Australian Open men's final, but it wasn't sure who will make it.
Stefanos Tsitsipas could become the new world no. 1 and reach this spot for the first time in his life. Moreover, he could win his first Grand Slam title, after previously losing at the 2021 Roland Garros, to non-other than his final opponent in Melbourne, Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian could reach the world no. 1 spot again too, but there were more important numbers for him. Djokovic had a chance to equal Rafael Nadal's 22 Grand Slam title and also win his tenth Australian Open title.
Tsitsipas, who lost a 2-0 lead in his first major final against Djokovic, didn't start well. He faced two break points already during his first service game, and despite saving those, he was then broken in the fourth game of the first set, and never came back as the 21-time Grand Slam champion won the first set comfortably 6-3.
The Greek had multiple chances to tie the score after the second set. Djokovic offered him multiple opportunities on his serve, including a set point in the tenth game. But Tsitsipas couldn't use any of those and after making a lot of unforced errors in the tie-break, he lost it 4-7 and Djokovic was now only one set away from winning his 22nd.
On the other hand, Tsitsipas was the player that needed a comeback from two sets down this time, and he started well in the third set. He got his first break of the match, but that wouldn't last for long.
The nine-time Australian Open champion immediately broke back and started another series of comfortably held service games as also the third set reached a tie-break.
This time, Djokovic got an early advantage and build a 5-0 lead. Despite Tsitsipas' best efforts, the Serbian never lost his lead and won the match 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) to win his tenth Australian Open and 22nd Grand Slam title.
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