The world No 1’s semi-final win against Nadal was remarkable but Stefanos Tsitsipas is a tricky
French Open final opponent
![Novak Djokovic makes his case to be the greatest but Tsitsipas lurks](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/380a3e1d59e2b82fe738a099ab8a9a8399524c05/612_0_2004_1202/master/2004.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdG8tZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=e28c8bc36f78f2a2545fb775b22beded)
Late on Friday afternoon, not too long after
Novak Djokovic and
Rafael Nadal had stepped out on to Court Philippe Chatrier, a familiar movie was playing out. Djokovic, with a 1-7 record against Nadal at the French Open, had not beaten Nadal on clay since 2016. There he was, trailing 5-0 while suffering the familiar pain of Rafael Nadal’s forehand tearing him apart.
It is a reflection of Djokovic’s exceptional ability to learn from disappointments and consistently return stronger that on Sunday he is facing Stefanos Tsitsipas for his second title at Roland Garros and a scene-shifting 19th overall slam.