Novak Djokovic claimed his second Adelaide title 16 years after the first. Novak prevailed over Sebastian Korda 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 after three hours and nine minutes for his 92nd ATP title, matching Rafael Nadal’s tally. Novak saved a match point in the second set and delivered a late break in the decider to emerge at the top.
The opening set lasted an hour and 13 minutes and was a roller coaster ride. Novak claimed one point more, but not the crucial ones. Korda saved two set points and prevailed in the important moments for a massive boost. Both players made a strong start behind the initial shot, with eight commanding holds that locked them at 4-4.
Sebastian stepped in on the return in the ninth game and forced Novak’s mistake for two break points. The American placed a backhand down the line winner to seize the first and move 5-4 in front. The young gun created three set points on serve in game ten and squandered them all, including a routine backhand at the net on the third.
Novak Djokovic defeated Sebastian Korda in the Adelaide final.
Djokovic grabbed five straight points and broke back following the rival’s backhand error. Sebastian sprayed a backhand mistake in the 12th game and experienced a set point.
Korda denied it with a booming serve and landed another to bring the game home and introduce a tie break. The youngster built a 3-0 advantage and moved 5-2 up when Djokovic netted a backhand. The American cracked a backhand down the line winner in the tenth point to create two set points.
Novak stayed calm and denied them and climbed back to 6-6. Korda saved the second set point at 6-7 with a powerful serve and missed his chance at 8-7 after Novak’s good serve. Sebastian seized the seventh set point at 9-8 to wrap up the set after 73 minutes and gain a massive boost.
Djokovic produced five comfortable holds in the second set before facing a match point at 5-6. The Serb denied it with a smash winner and held to introduce the second tie break. They traded mini-breaks in the opening two points, and Novak moved 2-1 in front with a strong forehand.
Sebastian fell 3-1 behind after a loose forehand and netted a backhand in the fifth point to push Novak further ahead. Korda saved two set points at 1-6 before Djokovic clinched the breaker 7-3 to force a decider after two hours and 17 minutes.
Novak had no issues behind the initial shot in the opening four service games, playing well and missing two break chances in the fourth game that could have sent him in front. Sebastian claimed four straight points from 30-0 down in the eighth game to level the score at 4-4 and increase the drama.
Novak held after deuce in game nine, placing a backhand winner to move 5-4 up and force the rival to serve to stay in the match. Korda wasted game points before missing a smash and offering Djokovic a match point. Novak converted it to celebrate the title and match Rafael Nadal’s 92 ATP titles.
