Novak Djokovic Defeats Carlos Alcaraz in Thrilling Cincinnati Masters Final

(Cincinnati) After a daunting final, Serbian Novak Djokovic managed to overthrow world number one Carlos Alcaraz in three sets of 5-7, 7-6 (9-7) and 7-6 (7-4) and win the Cincinnati Masters 1000 on Sunday.

Posted at 8:43 p.m. Updated at 10:17 p.m.

It took five match points and 3 hours 49 minutes for number 2 to take revenge against the Spaniard who stole the throne from him five weeks ago in the final at Wimbledon. Djokovic, 36, had not entered any tournament since this defeat.

“It’s one of the most exciting matches I’ve ever played in a tournament,” said the winner during the trophy presentation after the match. I felt like I did a Grand Slam. »

“I have so many things to say, but I’m not sure I have the necessary energy,” added Djokovic, hugging his trophy. He stopped and looked at Alcaraz.

You never give up, do you? I like that about you. Hope we meet again in New York [aux Internationaux des États-Unis]. It would be fun – well, for the fans, not for me.

Novak Djokovic speaking to Carlos Alcaraz

This is the third coronation in Cincinnati for “Nole”, snatched at the end of a real marathon. An epic endurance test that the public were afraid to see cut short, the Serb having to call on the healer at the start of the second round, just after losing the first.

But the man with 23 Grand Slam titles hung on, even coming back from a deficit of two games to pick up at 4-4 in this second set, pushing his opponent to the fault as he knows how to do so well.

From the top of his 38 Masters 1000, Djoko then passed in front at 5-4, putting his opponent under pressure, before a very disputed first tiebreaker.

Alcaraz then offered a match point, saved by Djokovic. In the aftermath, the Serb got an end ball at the net, which he failed to convert.

PHOTO KATIE STRATMAN, USA TODAY SPORTS, SUPPLIED BY REUTERS CON

Carlos Alcaraz

The second was the good one, at the end of a tense decisive game which foreshadowed the continuation of this titanic shock.

A final break

Because the name of the winner was decided by a final tiebreaker, after Alcaraz saved four match points in a suffocating tenth game lasting almost 13 minutes.

The Murcia native defended, taking advantage of his opponent’s feverishness on serve, until a long lob from the baseline prompted Djokovic to send his spike out, putting the two men level at 5-5.

It was the Spaniard, also struggling on his serve, who narrowly regained the lead, to take the lead 6-5. But the Serb followed suit to force a final tiebreaker.

Decisive game that Alcaraz started with a double fault signaled for a millimeter. At that time, Djokovic chained his seventh point in a row, at 3-0.

The Spaniard then offered himself a final comeback, equalizing at 3-3, without ever being able to get past his opponent. The fifth tournament ball was good for Novak Djokovic, after an anthology final between the two best players in the world.

“The match was very tight,” said Alcaraz. I’ll be back. »

An obvious sign that the new face of tennis has not finished disturbing the course of the legend.

With the Associated Press

2023-08-21 00:43:47
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