Novak Djokovic finally claimed his 100th ATP Tour-level singles title with a hard-fought victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open.
Djokovic fought back from losing the first set and being a break down in the decider to beat Hurkacz 5-7 7-6 (2) 7-6 (2) in a gruelling contest lasting three hours and four minutes.
The Serbian is just the third man in the Open era – after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer – to win 100 ATP titles.
Novak Djokovic finally claimed his 100th ATP Tour-level singles title with a hard-fought victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open.
Djokovic fought back from losing the first set and being a break down in the decider to beat Hurkacz 5-7 7-6 (2) 7-6 (2) in a gruelling contest lasting three hours and four minutes.
The Serbian is just the third man in the Open era – after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer – to win 100 ATP titles.
More costly errors from the big-serving Pole then allowed Djokovic to ease through the tie-break and complete the perfect preparation for his bid to win a record-breaking 25th grand slam title in the French Open.
“I had to work for it, that’s for sure,” a relieved Djokovic said in an on-court interview before the ball boys and girls physically formed the number 100 in tribute at the presentation ceremony.
“Huby was probably closer to the victory the entire match than I was. I had some chances to break his serve in the first set, I didn’t do it and then had a bad game that ended up with a double fault on set point.
“All of a sudden the match went to his side in a sense and I was obviously just trying to hang in there. I don’t know how I broke his serve, he probably broke himself in the third when he was 4-3 up but this is what happens on this level, the highest level, a few points decide the winner.
“An incredible match, 7-6 in the third with a full stadium, beautiful atmosphere. So I’m just grateful to clinch the 100th here.”