Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE updates of the 2021 French Open final between world number one, Novak Djokovic and No.5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic is hoping to become the first man in the Open era to win all four Grand Slams twice. The Serb won his first Roland Garros crown in 2016 and is the red-hot favourite to add to that solitary success on the red dirt after taking down 13-time champion Rafael Nadal. Can 22-year-old Tsitsipas stop his charge in his maiden Slam final? We’re about to find out. The players are due on court from 14.00 BST.

DJOKOVIC 4-4 TSITSIPAS. It’s not as straight-forward this time but still no alarm bells as Djoker achieves parity with the game to 15. His fizzing forehand into the Tsitsipas backhand is drawing mid-court responses and he’s reaping plenty of rewards there. Stef is going to have to make an adjustment to try and stop that being the obvious go-to play for the Serb.

DJOKOVIC 3-4 TSITSIPAS. Nole’s pride takes a hit as Stef chases down a drop shot and flicks it crosscourt. Djokovic desperately keeps going and trips close to the right end of the net before tumbling over. He gets to his feet and should be okay but needs to dust a chunk of red clay off his attire. When play resumes the 18-time major winner slaps a return into the net and Tsitsipas chalks up his fourth hold.

DJOKOVIC 3-3 TSITSIPAS. That’s three love holds on the spin for the Serb and if you’re in the Tsitsipas corner you have to be concerned that he’s getting absolutely no read on that first serve. The top seed corks down a wide ace – his first of the match – to breeze level once more.

DJOKOVIC 2-3 TSITSIPAS. The Athenian recovers from a mini lull as a loopy, long forehand after being caught wondering about a deep response from Djoker and an overcooked forehand put him under pressure at 30-30. Ace number five puts him back in control before Nole helps him out with a miss-hit crosscourt backhand. It's been advantage Novak so far, but Tsitsipas remains on serve.

DJOKOVIC 2-2 TSITSIPAS. The Serbinator has got that first serve dialled in right from the off. He’s barely giving Stef a sniff. When he does miss one he conjures up a beauty of a drop shot to notch up love hold number two.

DJOKOVIC 1-2 TSITSIPAS. That’s more like it. Tsitsipas produces a provisional blueprint for how to try and upset Djoker here. He drags himself from side to side and rifles forehand winners to the opposite corner of the court. A fourth ace down the T is a brilliant way to conclude a very tidy hold to 15.

DJOKOVIC 1-1 TSITSIPAS. No such drama for the world number one. He’s clearly looking for a fast start to set the tone here and romps to a love hold.

DJOKOVIC 0-1 TSITSIPAS. It’s nervy and it’s inconsistent from Tsitsipas after he opens with twitchy double fault. Djokovic dictates for much of what turns into a rather significant seven-minute opening game. The Serb produces a stunning crosscourt return winner to notch up a break point but Stefanos responds with a brilliant backhand up the line. Djoker gets lucky with a desperate defensive lob that somehow drops in and catches the Greek out to earn a second chance. Tsitsipas knows he needs some clutch serving to make life easier and thunders down three aces in a row to surely blow away those butterflies.

Tsitsipas will serve first.

A clay classic

H2H: Djokovic has won five of the seven previous meetings. The Serb has come out on top in their three showdowns on clay. He came from behind to triumph in the Rome Masters semi final recently and also prevailed in five sets in the last four at this tournament last year. 

Djokovic: "Obviously it is Tsitsipas' first time in the finals of a Grand Slam. For him it’s a great achievement, but I’m sure he doesn’t want to stop there. He’s in great form. I think he leads the race rankings this year. He’s had his best results overall. I think he matured as a player a lot. Clay is arguably his best surface."

Tsitsipas is the first Greek player to contest a major final. He currently leads the Race to Turin. The 22-year-old starlet has also been majestic on clay this year. He won titles in Monte Carlo and Lyon and came close to upsetting Nadal in the final in Barcelona.

He remains upbeat about his chances. He said: “It's time for me to go for my chances. It's time for me to show that I'm capable of playing Novak."