Novak Djokovic will play against Casper Ruud at Roland Garros on Sunday, hoping to secure his 23rd Grand Slam title and break the all-time record. The Norwegian player, who reached the French Open final for the second year in a row, is seeking his first Slam title after losing in the US Open final last year. Djokovic, who has won all four of his previous meetings with Ruud without dropping a set, is the clear favorite to win the match and make history.
Djokovic is a seasoned player, with 34 Grand Slam finals under his belt, equaling Chris Evert’s record. He won the Australian Open in January and is halfway to the calendar-year Grand Slam if he wins on Sunday. He has dropped just one set on his way to the final and produced his best tennis of the fortnight in the semifinal against Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic is also set to return to the top of the world rankings by winning the French Open, adding to his impressive list of achievements.
On the other hand, Ruud has picked up his form in the clay-court season and is peaking at the right time. He defeated Holger Rune and Alexander Zverev, losing only one set in the process, and is confident and comfortable on the court. Ruud has spent less time on the court than Djokovic, thanks to a walkover early on, and will go into the final with energy. If there are any doubts about Djokovic’s elbow, which he had treated in the semifinal, Ruud will be ready to take advantage.
However, Ruud faces a tough challenge against Djokovic, who is known for his incredible defensive skills. Djokovic controls his own destiny and is focused on finishing the job. He has never lost a set to Ruud and has a 22-11 record in Grand Slam finals. Djokovic is also comfortable with being the villain or on the receiving end of jeers from the crowd, making him a formidable opponent.
If Djokovic plays his best or close to it, he will be too good for Ruud. The Norwegian lacks a weapon to punch holes in Djokovic’s defense, making it hard to see him miss out on history. Although Ruud could win a set for the first time, it would be a massive surprise should Djokovic not be lifting the title for a third time come Sunday afternoon.
The French Open final promises to be a thrilling match between two talented players. Djokovic is the clear favorite, but Ruud is a fierce competitor who will not go down without a fight. The result of the match will depend on who can handle the pressure and execute their game plan better. Tennis fans around the world will be eagerly waiting to see who will come out on top and make history at Roland Garros.
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