Novak Djokovic clinches 100th ATP singles title

Novak Djokovic made another bit of tennis history as he clinched his 100th ATP singles title with a comeback victory over Hubert Hurkacz in Geneva.

Djokovic, who has won almost all there is in tennis, is just the third man in the Open era to secure 100 Tour titles after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.

The 38-year-old Serbian was competing in his second ATP Tour final of the year.

Djokovic had won all seven of his previous matches against Poland’s Hurkacz, but had to grind out victory the hard way, coming from a break down in the third set to win 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-2).

Djokovic’s children ran on to the court afterwards to congratulate their father, with wife Jelena watching in the stands.

Victory also gave the veteran some welcome time on the clay, with the French Open beginning on Sunday, although it remains to be seen how quickly he will recover from a final lasting three hours and eight minutes.

He arrived in Geneva without a win on the surface, having lost his first match in four of his past five tournaments.

But deciding to take a wildcard in Geneva has paid off as Djokovic has improved in each match, with his serving and returning in particular going up a notch.

Much of the packed crowd in Geneva was on his side, and it was the Serb great who had the first break opportunities at 2-2.

But Hurkacz, a big server making his way back to form after a serious knee injury at Wimbledon last year, produced aces and service winners at the crucial times to keep him at bay.

Djokovic’s frailties, rather than excellent play from his foe, decided the first set. Serving to force a tie-break, an unfortunate net cord handed Hurkacz his first break point of the set, and a dreadful double fault from Djokovic handed it over.

Every Hurkacz service game of the second set seemed to go to deuce, with Djokovic constantly pushing for an opening, but his uncharacteristic errors allowed his 28-year-old opponent to wriggle free, much to Djokovic’s wry amusement.

The Serb upped his level in the tie-break, smashing a winner to force a deciding set, but it was Hurkacz who broke at the start of the third.

Djokovic now travels to Paris, where he will face American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round, with another milestone to his name and a bid for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title firmly on track.

Djokovic has not had it easy this year, as his run to the Australian Open semi-finals was ended by injury before his first attempt to claim his 100th title was ended by Czech teenager Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open showpiece.

The clay season has been particularly tricky as Djokovic lost his opening matches in Monte Carlo and Madrid in straight sets, cutting a frustrated figure in both before he opted out of the Italian Open.

A split with coach Andy Murray followed, with Djokovic joined in Geneva by Dusan Vemic, who was previously part of his team, and assistant coach and analyst Boris Bosnjakovic.