What are the takeaways from this Cincinnati final? Novak Djokovic’s gladiator-esque roar after tearing apart his shirt in celebration, Carlos Alcaraz’s tears, or Djokovic’s insane ability to raise his game in nervy moments or Alcaraz’s breathtaking backhand-down-the-line screamers destined for YouTube immortality? In a non-grandslam match for ages that can be deep-dived countless times, Djokovic emerged with a statement-making triumph. That he is not going to just fade away at the sighting of the next great champion.
With their resounding Wimbledon final still firmly in the backdrop, the potentially generation-defining rivalry between Djokovic and Alcaraz birthed another epic contest, as Djokovic defeated his 16-years-younger opponent 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) to win a 39th Masters 1000 title. At 3 hours and 49 minutes, it was the longest best-of-three Masters final in ATP history, but runtime only does not do justice to the enthralling contest in which momentum shifted time and again, championship points were saved, winners painted the lines, and breathless rallies ensued.
Above all else, however, this was a statement from Djokovic. After narrowly losing at Wimbledon last month, the Serb typically found a way to fight off the full breadth of the raw generational talent of Alcaraz and come back from the jaws of defeat, saving match point and then wasting four of his own, to win his 95th career title – putting him third on the all-time leaderboard behind Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic.
One of the best sets you’ll EVER see.Enjoy…#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/YGKYUhRm1s
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023
Unlike their first encounter of a trilogy of high-quality contests this summer, when Alcaraz succumbed to cramp during the semifinal of the French Open, it was Djokovic here who seemed to physically struggle in the dry heat in Cincinnati.
After flying out of the blocks with a typically solid serve and return game and fashioning a 4-2 lead in the first set, Djokovic began to wilt in the near 35-degree temperature and leak errors as Alcaraz slightly raised his game to take advantage, winning five of the next six games to take the first set.
From there on, Alcaraz was able to arrest control using his massive forehand and low backhand slices to win most of the baseline exchanges. Djokovic may have been a set and a break down but Alcaraz would then see the full force of the Serb’s enduring legacy of being able to deal with almost any scoreline.
BOOM ⚡@b_nakashima | #WSOpen pic.twitter.com/ZIyQ8VoDOe
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023
Djokovic did what he does, serving well to stay with Alcaraz and bringing the second set back on serve by winning his one and only break point of the set. He took it to a tiebreaker, where he again did what he does, raising his game just enough – no more or less – to break through Alcaraz’s peaking baseline game by grinding him out and saving a match point through some excellent returns and net game.
From there on, Djokovic took control. The heat subsided as evening came in and the match was on Djokovic’s racquet as he broke through Alcaraz’s reserve, testing his younger rival’s mental resilience after he squandered a match point, fashioning a 5-3 lead, before another twist.
A remarkable aspect of the Wimbledon final was the fact that it was hardly a tactical contest. Alcaraz sailed through by playing at his highest level and displaying the scary raw talent and natural instincts he possesses, as opposed to the minute problem-solving that more experienced players like Djokovic would have done to make comeback wins on the big stage.
Djokovic would see the unnerving force of that talent again, as Alcaraz saved four match points with four incredible, varied winners, one of which, a curved forehand passing shot that beat Djokovic at the net, being an instant classic. Momentum ebbed again as Alcaraz dug deep to force a tiebreak, but Djokovic’s superior experience prevailed as he muted the crowd and took an early lead under pressure and rounded out the win.
Emotions ran high, Djokovic fell to his back, ripped off his shirt, Alcaraz shed tears and looked visibly mentally drained. The 23-time Grand Slam champion softened the blow with typical words of high praise.
“It did feel like a Grand Slam final to be honest.” @DjokerNole gives today’s 5-star #CincyTennis final the highest marks… pic.twitter.com/wUQ4XKBTsJ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023
“Crazy. Honestly, I don’t know what else I can say. Tough to describe. Definitely one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in my life, regardless what tournament, what category, what level, what player. It’s unbelievable,” he said after the match.
“This rivalry just gets better. It gets better and better. Amazing player. Tonnes of respect for him. For such a young player to show so much poise in important moments is impressive,” he said of Alcaraz.
Lessons had been learned by both players after Wimbledon. Alcaraz had let Djokovic back into that contest thanks to the Serb’s superior returning, especially on wide serves, but this time he served exceptionally well under pressure, not resisting going for the body serve when needed. He saved a whopping 13 out of 16 break points.
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Djokovic, as well, tended not to go for the riskier low-percentage shots, instead wearing his opponent down through resilient defence, and by elongating rallies and extracting errors.
Both players were not at full tilt either. Alcaraz, struggling for rhythm throughout the North American hardcourt swing, had lost a set in each of his last three matches, and had to save match point in the semifinal against Hubert Hurkacz. Djokovic, who had only played seven sets since Wimbledon, was yet to be physically tested.
But as far as teasers go, ahead of the US Open, which starts next week, the duo provided as epic as one could possibly imagine.
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