ANALYSIS: Power and precision — the distinct strategies that will shape tonight's Australian Open final
There was a fear about flat balls and late finishes. Upsets galore reigned on both sides of the draw, creating chaos in the race to the title.Looking to spoil his run to his 10th title in 10 finals is local favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas. Long considered one of the best hopes of the next generation, Tsitsipas is on the cusp of claiming his first Grand Slam title and first stint as world number one to boot.
In fact, despite the spread of tennis around the world, Greece was left mostly untouched. Tsitsipas is the first man representing Greece inside the top 100 players in the world. Balls that look like they are sailing long often drop in at the last minute due the ferocious amount of spin he imparts on the ball. At times through this Australian Open he has ripped the ball even harder than Nadal in his prime, using those long levers to full effect.The first week of the tournament saw talk about the Dunlop balls, and how they muted players who relied on a spin heavy game style.
After nine Australian Open titles, 21 total Grand Slam titles, and nearly two decades on the tour, what more can be said about Novak Djokovic? How many times can you break down the brilliance of one of the finest players to pick up a racquet? If Federer is the most elegant, and Nadal is the hardest hitter, then Djokovic is the hardest worker. His serve doesn't have supersonic speed, nor do his groundstrokes. He can't generate the raw torque on the ball that Nadal can, and his body thanks him for it.Instead, it's the Serb's unerring placement of balls and ability to track down almost any opposition shot that continues to stun onlookers.
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