Novak Djokovic has been spectacular at the 2024 Paris Olympics so far, but Stefanos Tsitsipas hasn't been bad either, and they will face each other for a spot in the semi-final.
The difference between a quarter-final and a semi-final isn't much in regular tennis events. There is a different amount of money to be won and a different amount of ATP or WTA ranking points, but for the most part, it doesn't change much for players.
Neither awards any trophies, so both count as another week without a win for most players. Those calculations change a bit when it comes to the Olympic Games because making the semi-final at the Olympics guarantees a fight for a medal.
Losing in the semi-final guarantees a match for the bronze medal, but a medal is a medal, and not many players have it. Djokovic has a medal, but not the gold one he wished for.
We've seen him play amazing tennis so far in Paris, and that's largely because this is the most important event of the year for him. He wants that gold medal, and he's played like it so far.
Tsitsipas has no medal either, but he certainly wants one. He wants the gold as well, but he wouldn't be angry about getting any because tennis in Greece isn't that popular.
It is his stated life mission to make it popular in the country, and a medal would certainly go down in history, which is a great way to popularize the sport. His performances haven't been as clean as Djokovic's so far, but he has been playing solid as well.
As a former finalist in Paris, making a deep run in the French capital isn't new for him, even though in recent years, it hasn't worked out that well for the Greek.
Head-to-head:
The two have played a handful of times in ATP Tour-level matches, and Djokovic has been the far better player. In the 13 matches so far, Tsitsipas has only won two, and his most recent win came in 2019.
In fact, both of those wins came in the first three matches they played because, after three matches played, Tsitsipas led the H2H 2-1. Since then, Djokovic has won 10 matches in a row, including the most recent meeting in the Australian Open final last year.
On clay, the H2H shows 5-0 for Djokovic, including that Roland Garros final three years ago. Generally, it's not a good matchup for Tsitsipas, who has a weaker backhand, and players know how to exploit it.
Tsitsipas' serve can be a problem for Djokovic, but he's the best returner of all time, so if there is one player who is an antidote for that, then it's him. Overall, he's just the better player, and the matchup generally shows that.
| Novak Djokovic | Stefanos Tsitsipas | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | H2H | 2 |
| 2 | Rank | 11 |
| 37 | Age | 25 |
| 26-7 | 2024 W/L | 35-13 |
| 1113-220 | Career W/L | 335-156 |
Prediction:
Still, Tsitsipas has been playing well, and he seems motivated. Djokovic is playing superbly well and should likely win this match in two sets, but the match against Dominik Koepfer proved that he can be pushed a little bit.
Prediction: Novak Djokovic to win in three sets.
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