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Novak Djokovic has finally claimed his first Roland Garros title as the world number one recovered from a set down to beat Andy Murray 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4. Murray found the right balance of patient and offensive tennis earlier on to clinch the opener, but the world number one raised his level to take control of the match thereafter and held off some late resistance from his opponent to eventually complete the career grand slam.
In the opening set, Djokovic made the perfect start and used the drop shot effectively to break Murray in the first game of the match. However, the Brit immediately hit back in the following game with a brilliant drop shot and lob combination before edging ahead 2-1. The world number one appeared unsettled whilst Murray was decisive, and the Brit struck again when Djokovic pushed a backhand wide to quickly build a 4-1 lead. The Serbian was committing a few unforced errors by over-pressing, as he found it difficult to contend with his opponent’s fine blend of patient and aggressive tennis, but he still managed to force the world number two to serve for the opener. However, with a solid display on serve so far and even a controversial call by the umpire going his way, Murray was able to hold off his opponent to secure the set when Djokovic netted a backhand.
As the second set unfolded, Djokovic was on the brink of conceding his serve early on but this time the Serbian dug deep to survive the opening game and his resilience was eventually rewarded when Murray gifted the break in the following game with a costly double fault. The world number one was growing in confidence and he easily consolidated his advantage for a 3-0 lead. Murray’s form had dipped as Djokovic started to dictate the rallies with his precise shot-making, and even though the Brit did well to avoid going down a double break initially, he was forced to concede his serve again when his opponent drilled a backhand winner down the line. Now with a commanding 5-1 lead, Djokovic was simply too strong and he comfortably served out the set to level the match.
In the third set, both players held their first service games but Djokovic continued to push Murray deep behind the baseline to outlast him in the rallies, and the Serbian clinched the early break when Murray netted a volley. The Brit was now struggling to match his opponent as Djokovic consolidated his advantage before converting another break of Murray’s serve in spectacular style, by returning the Brit’s drop shot with a delicately angled one of his own to establish a 4-1 lead. The world number one was forced to save a few break points as Murray threatened to recover one of the breaks back, but Djokovic was in ominous form and he eventually went on to claim the set when the Brit planted a backhand wide to move ahead in the match.
The early stages of the fourth set saw Murray continue to struggle producing enough first serves and Djokovic quickly took control, producing a deep return to break his opponent in the opening game en route to building a 2-0 lead. Despite the Brit’s valiant efforts to reduce the deficit to a single break, the combination of Murray’s inconsistent play at times and the controlled yet devastating tennis from the relentless world number one saw Djokovic seize the crucial double break, when he manoeuvred his opponent all around the court before finishing off with a forehand winner down the line. However, as he served for the title at 5-2 up, an error strewn game from the Serbian allowed the world number two to gain one break back and close the scoreline to 5-4. But, even though Murray saved two match points and had pushed his opponent right to the end, Djokovic was not to be denied and he eventually closed out the victory to seal his 12th grand slam trophy.
With this victory, Djokovic currently holds all four major titles and is still on course to win all four grand slams in a calendar year.
On the women’s side, Serena Williams fell short of equalling Steffi Graf’s record of 22 grand slam titles, as Garbine Muguruza produced an impressive display to upset the world number one 7-5 6-4.
