sport news Imperious Novak Djokovic cruises to Madrid Open title

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Sporting comebacks are all the rage right now, and Novak Djokovic has put himself in prime position to complete a colossal one of his own.

Just over a year ago he was in an existential crisis with form and motivation and, while already showing signs of being on the up, lost early at the Madrid Open to Britain's Kyle Edmund.

On Sunday he claimed that same title for 2019, via an ominously routine 6-3 6-4 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. Now it seems entirely realistic that he can pick up a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title at the French Open, which begins a week on Sunday.

Everything is falling into place for him, from the technical side of his game to the lack of confidence that seems apparent in his main rival and the greatest clay courter of them all, Rafael Nadal.

Not only did Djokovic get an energy saving walkover in the quarter-final but Tsitsipas was also at the end of a long week, having made the semi-finals of the doubles and then not finished his taxing victory against Nadal the previous evening until midnight.

By winning in Madrid the 31-year-old Serb equalled the Spaniard's tally of 33 trophies at ATP Masters level. He has not been reeling off the regular titles quite like he used to, but when the Majors come in sight he is able to reach a crescendo.

A good barometer of the Djokovic self-belief is his down the line backhand, and that looked in fine working order against the young Greek.

Tsitsipas struggled to keep up, but he is rapidly improving and this has been another learning week. He is proving this season what a very unusual talent he is, and he will be dangerous in Paris.