Cincinnati Open: Novak Djokovic Clinches Championship by Triumphing Over Carlos Alcaraz, Fueling the Escalation of Rivalry

 

In a match lasting just under four hours, Novak Djokovic avenged his Wimbledon final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, emerging victorious and capturing the Cincinnati Open title.

The Serbian star faced a match point scare during the second set, but he rebounded to clinch victory with a final score of 5-7, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-4).

In a rematch of last month's Wimbledon final, where the top-seeded Alcaraz triumphed over Djokovic in five sets, the Serb turned the tables. Reflecting on the intense showdown, Djokovic drew parallels with his prime matches against Rafael Nadal, noting, "The sensations on the court bring back memories of when I used to play against Nadal during our peak. This is one of the most demanding matches I've ever played."

Djokovic likened the physically and mentally exhausting victory to his Australian Open final conquest in 2012, when he outlasted Nadal in an epic five hours and 53 minutes battle. "Every single point is a grind. Every point is a struggle. You have to earn each point, each shot, no matter the circumstances. It's an incredible feeling to share that experience with him on the court," Djokovic added.

Despite the loss, Alcaraz will retain his world number one ranking as he prepares to defend his title at the upcoming US Open. Nonetheless, if Djokovic manages to secure just one victory at Flushing Meadows, he will once again ascend to the summit of the rankings.

The second-ranked player in the world surpassed Nadal in the historic men's Grand Slam tally, securing his 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open in June, where he conquered Alcaraz in the semi-finals. Over the span of 17 years, Djokovic and Nadal have engaged in 59 intense clashes on the court, while Alcaraz, a mere 20-year-old, has encountered Djokovic just four times, resulting in an even 2-2 record. Expressing his sentiments after the defeat in Ohio on Sunday, the young Alcaraz tearfully conveyed, "Playing against you, sharing the court with you, learning from you—it's amazing. This match was incredibly close, but I gained valuable lessons from a champion like you. So, congratulations to you and your team." Following a missed match point opportunity during the second-set tie-break, Alcaraz found himself trailing 5-3 in the third set. However, he displayed remarkable resilience by saving two match points to narrow the margin to 5-4, subsequently breaking Djokovic's serve to even the set. Nevertheless, Djokovic seized control with a 5-4 advantage during Alcaraz's service in the tie-break, clinching the final two points and ultimately securing victory in a marathon contest lasting three hours and 49 minutes—a record for the longest best-of-three-sets final in ATP Tour history. Reflecting on the budding rivalry, Djokovic commented, "This rivalry just continues to evolve. It keeps improving and growing. He's an extraordinary player. My respect for him knows no bounds. To exhibit such composure during critical moments at his age is truly remarkable." Acknowledging the upcoming challenge, both players now set their sights on the US Open in New York. Alcaraz aims to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time, while Djokovic, in pursuit of his 24th Grand Slam triumph, returns after being absent from last year's tournament due to his Covid vaccination status.