When Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz step on a tennis court docket collectively on the similar time, good issues are likely to occur.
Outdoors of two units performed by Alcaraz at lower than 100% (on the 2023 French Open), they’ve waged nothing however instantaneous classics towards one another. That features an epic 2022 Madrid semifinal (received by Alcaraz in a third-set tiebreaker) and the back-and-forth thriller that was the 2023 Wimbledon championship match (received by Alcaraz in 5 units). The newest chapter got here within the remaining of the Western & Southern Open on Sunday night, and this time it was Djokovic who seized the higher hand.
Though it was solely best-of-three match not like the Wimbledon remaining, this one might have been the hardest of all–for each gamers. In sweltering warmth, Djokovic got here again from a set and a break down, saved a championship level, after which fended off a late surge by Alcaraz to triumph 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(4) after a ridiculous three hours and 49 minutes of play.
Trailing by a set and break whereas seeking to be extra impacted by the situations than his opponent, Djokovic gave the impression to be on the best way to a second consecutive loss at Alcaraz’s arms. Nonetheless, the 36-year-old Serb discovered a second gear that allowed him to interrupt again and pressure a tiebreaker–throughout which he fought off championship level with an ideal serve-forehand mixture. He quickly received it 9 factors to seven.
That set the stage for a dramatic third, during which it was Alcaraz’s flip to return again from the brink of defeat. The 20-year-old Spaniard saved two championship factors on serve at 3-5, improbably broke again for 5-5 after surviving two extra championship factors, and saved 4 break factors within the 5-5 sport to ultimately play his approach into one other tiebreaker.
In the long run, Djokovic had the higher hand of some grueling exchanges halfway by way of the ‘breaker and took it seven factors to 4.
“It’ was’s been a roller-coaster,” the world No. 2 stated throughout the trophy ceremony. “Undoubtedly one of many hardest and most fun matches I’ve been part of at any match–undoubtedly. It did really feel like a Grand Slam remaining, to be sincere…. Loopy. Actually, I don’t know what else I can say. Robust to explain.
“Each match we play towards one another goes the space, so I’m hoping we are able to play in some weeks’ time in New York.”