Match of the Day: Novak Djokovic vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Dubai final

Stefanos Tsitsipas could join rarefied air with a win over Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s Dubai final. Only three players—Andy Roddick, Ivo Karlovic, and Fernando Gonzalez—own a winning record over the 17-time slam champ after playing Djokovic at least three times.

Tsitsipas defeated Djokovic during his coming out party at Toronto in 2018, and also edged him last October in Shanghai. The last time they played, however, Djokovic destroyed the Greek, 6-1, 6-2, in just 58 minutes at last year’s Paris Masters.

(AP Images/Getty Images)

Both are playing some incredible tennis at the moment. Djokovic is a ridiculous 17-0 on the season and Tsitsipas is riding an eight-match win streak. The Serbian dodged Gael Monfils' upset bid on Friday morning, saving three match points to improve his record to 17-0 against the Frenchman, and ruining all Vitas Gerulaitis jokes in the process. In the other semifinal, Tsitsipas cruised past Dan Evans all too easily, 6-2, 6-3. His range and consistency from the ground was too much for the frustrated Brit.

Tsitsipas is one of the few players with all the necessary tools to defeat Djokovic. He has the serve, the firepower, the movement, and the all-court prowess. His trending UTR rates him as the fourth best player in the world, just a shade behind Djokovic, the clear-cut No. 1. There’s no reason why Tsitsipas can’t win this match, but until Djokovic actually loses, it’s too tough to pick against the four-time Dubai champ—currently on pace for yet another all-time great season.