Novak Djokovic, the renowned 23-time Grand Slam champion, emerged victorious in a remarkable Masters 1000 clash against world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian maestro showcased his resilience by saving a championship point, ultimately securing the Cincinnati Masters title with a hard-fought triumph of 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4). Facing adversity, the 36-year-old Djokovic staged an impressive comeback from a set and a break down against the formidable World No. 1.
His pivotal moment came when he thwarted a championship point at 5/6 during the second-set tie-break, thereby clinching his 39th ATP Masters 1000 title and extending his record. Notably, Djokovic grappled visibly with the sweltering Cincinnati heat, struggling to find an answer against the dominant top seed. However, a lapse in performance from Alcaraz during a crucial service game at 4-3 in the second set provided Djokovic the opportunity he needed to regain momentum.
As the final-set tie-break ensued, it was the 20-year-old Alcaraz who grappled with physical limitations, experiencing cramps in his right hand. Djokovic capitalized on this advantage, converting his fifth championship point and jubilantly falling to the court in celebration. The battle between Djokovic and Alcaraz extended for three hours and 49 minutes, a strenuous effort that saw Djokovic avenge his recent Wimbledon final loss to the Spaniard. Their ATP Head-to-Head series was now leveled at 2-2, highlighting the intensity of their rivalry.
After the match, a hilarious exchange between the two went viral on social media in which Djokovic said that although he admires that Alcaraz never gives up, he sometimes wishes the Spaniard could play a few points lightly.
Check out the video here:
In reflection, Djokovic shared his thoughts on the riveting contest during the post-match press conference. He likened the match's roller-coaster nature to his memorable encounter against Nadal at the 2012 Australian Open, emphasizing its mental, emotional, and physical demands. With his triumph, Djokovic secured a unique accolade as the oldest champion in the history of the tournament, surpassing the previous record held by 35-year-old Ken Rosewall.
On the other hand, Alcaraz, the 20-year-old rising star, made history as the youngest finalist at the event since Pete Sampras in 1991. Furthermore, Djokovic's win allowed him to surpass Ivan Lendl, claiming the third-most tour-level titles in the record books with an impressive count of 95. Only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) hold more titles than the Serbian champion.
While Alcaraz departed Cincinnati as the No. 1 player in the ATP Rankings, Djokovic's proximity was undeniable. With a mere 20 points separating him, Djokovic entered the US Open with an excellent opportunity to reclaim the top spot, considering Alcaraz's obligation to defend 2,000 points at Flushing Meadows.
(With Inputs From IANS)