Novak Djokovic displayed his unrivalled resilience by surmounting a match point and sweltering conditions to vanquish world number one Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) in a nail-biting spectacle on Sunday, clinching the Cincinnati Open championship.
A symphony of heart-pounding moments unfolded as Djokovic, after a marathon four-hour clash, collapsed onto his back and dramatically tore open his shirt in jubilation. This triumphant moment served as a poignant response to his earlier loss to the Spanish prodigy in last month’s Wimbledon final.
Amidst the exhilaration, Djokovic, collecting his third Cincinnati Open title, expressed, “Words may fall short amidst the fatigue. This journey has been akin to a roller coaster, an encounter laden with challenges and excitement. This match resonates as one of the most arduous and thrilling in my entire tournament history.”
He continued, “It bore the weight of a Grand Slam final, surpassing even those parameters, to be candid.”
In the backdrop of sweltering conditions, Djokovic’s initial struggles were palpable as he grappled with stifling humidity during the latter stages of the first set. It was during this pivotal juncture that Alcaraz seized an opportunity, capitalising on Djokovic’s compromised mobility to claim the set.
A fleeting moment of Alcaraz dominance emerged in the second set, with the young Spaniard surging to a 4-2 lead. As the 36-year-old Djokovic appeared drained beneath the Ohio sun, Alcaraz seemed poised for a smooth victory.
However, a shaky service game featuring four unforced errors that brought Djokovic’s hopes back while trailing 4-3 punctuated Alcaraz’s ascendancy. This resurgent lifeline breathed new life into the world number two.
The second-set tiebreak etched itself into history as Djokovic thwarted a championship point and forged ahead, eventually forcing a decider in the wake of a gruelling 25-shot rally.
In the interlude preceding the third set, Alcaraz’s frustration found an outlet as he pounded his right hand against the plastic drink container beside his chair, necessitating a medical timeout to tend to his injured finger.
Within the tumultuous contours of the final set, Djokovic managed to seize a pivotal break for a 5-3 advantage. However, the story remained unwritten as Djokovic squandered two match points in the ensuing game.
The drama persisted as Djokovic missed a crucial overhead shot at 5-5, leading the players into yet another high-stakes tiebreak. On his fifth match point of the contest, Djokovic clinched victory in a fitting crescendo.
In a moment of sportsmanship, Alcaraz commended Djokovic, conceding, “Speaking now is a challenge for me, but I endeavoured to give my best. My heartfelt congratulations to Novak. It’s an incredible experience to share the court with you, to learn from you. This match was a fierce battle, yet it also encompassed immense learning.”
Djokovic’s win marked his 95th career title and 39th Masters 1000 crown. Moreover, this triumph was Djokovic’s first on U.S. soil in two years, as he had been previously barred due to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19.
With his eyes firmly set on the horizon, Djokovic now turns his attention to the impending U.S. Open, slated from August 28 to September 10. The pursuit of his 24th Grand Slam trophy beckons, an endeavour that promises to capture the imagination of tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
As Djokovic addressed Alcaraz, he encapsulated their competitive spirit: “Each of our encounters stretches to its limits. Perhaps we’ll find ourselves competing again in New York in the coming weeks. The prospect of that would be a gift for the spectators. As for myself, I remain uncertain.”
