Djokovic's triple challenge: the 10th title in Melbourne, his 22nd major and the number 1 in the world

Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Rafael Nadal, twice, Andy Murray, four times, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

, with greater or lesser fortune,

in the final of the Australian Open.

If Nadal is infallible when he stands in the final match at Roland Garros, he is no less the Balkan in such a circumstance in his favorite tournament.

Stefanos Tsitsipas has before him this Sunday (09:30, Eurosport) a quasi-heroic task if he wants to bring down the man who, in addition to seeking his tenth title in Melbourne, seeks to stand next to Nadal with 22 grand and return to

, the latter objective that is also within the reach of the Hellenic aspirant, who would wear it for the first time.

A year after losing his lawsuit to play the tournament without getting vaccinated against covid, Djokovic is in the place where he is expected in each edition.

Since he won

, months after losing to Federer in the US Open final, the 35-year-old player from Belgrade has been turning this tournament into his best competitive asset.

His authority is unquestionable since on January 22, 2018, a Korean named Hyeon Chung, now missing from the circuit, surprised him in the round of 16.

There are 27 consecutive victories, and one more than those achieved by Andre Agassi between 2000 and 2004.

The two finalists appear in the best disposition, although in his journey it is

who has admitted the least reply.

He has spent 14 hours and 42 minutes on court, half an hour less than his opponent, and

, in the second round, against Enzo Couacaud, a Frenchman who came from the previous one.

Tsitsipas gave up three, two of them in a tough round of 16 match against Jannick Sinner.

Clear advantage of the Serbian

Both are undefeated this year.

Djokovic has 11 wins, six in the tournament in question and five previously in Adelaide.

Tsitsipas has 10 chains, with the four achieved in the United Cup. On the side of the Belgrade player there is also the balance of

against a man whom he lifted two sets in the 2021 Roland Garros final. Tsitsipas' second appearance in a match of this range, compared to Djokovic's 33, who has been in such a situation more times than anyone else.

Already fully immersed in the circuit, once the restrictions due to the pandemic were lowered,

has been showing himself almost infallible since he won his seventh title at Wimbledon.

Champion also in Astana, Tel Aviv, the ATP Finals and, already this year, in Adelaide,

, against Holger Rune, in the final of the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy.

In addition to missing the Australian Open, last year he did not play the US Open either.

Nadal signed a movie performance in Melbourne and did not fail at Roland Garros, passing over the Balkan in the quarterfinals, to take a lead of two

, 22-20, which this Sunday can be neutralized.

, with the punctual interference of Dominic Thiem, winner of the US Open in 2020, Daniil Medvedev, winner in New York a year later, frustrating Djokovic's dream of becoming with the big four in the same season, and Carlos Alcaraz, current champion at Flushing Meadows.

All eyes are on Djokovic.

Tsitsipas will try to make the most of his

status and display all his talent in a highly demanding match.

Which is not little.

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• Novak Djokovic

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