Novak Djokovic survived a match point and suffocating heat to defeat world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) to won the Cincinnati Open on Sunday.
Djokovic dropped on his back before ripping his top off after winning his third championship in Cincinnati and exacting vengeance on Alcaraz in last month’s Wimbledon final.
“This was one of the most exciting matches I’ve ever played in any tournament,” Djokovic, who has won a men’s Grand Slam record 23 times, said at the postmatch trophy presentation. “It felt like it was a Grand Slam.”
With temperatures nearing 90 degrees, Djokovic, 36, survived the tournament’s longest men’s match since at least 1990 to become the tournament’s oldest winner. Ken Rosewall was 35 years old when he won the race in 1970.
The match was the longest best-of-three set final in ATP circuit history (since 1990), lasting 3 hours and 49 minutes.
At the conclusion of the first set, the Serbian player seemed to be hampered by the severe heat, scarcely moving as Alcaraz delivered a backhand winner to take the opening.
Despite having been on the court for more than 10 hours this week, Alcaraz gained a 4-2 second-set lead, and it seemed the Spanish star would coast to the finish line.
However, Alcaraz would deliver a dreadful service game when leading 4-3, including four unforced mistakes, to give the world No. 2 life.
Djokovic survived a championship chance in the second set tiebreak and went on to force a deciding set after winning a 25-shot rally.
A angry Alcaraz smashed his hand on the plastic drinks container next to his chair during the break before the third set, necessitating a medical timeout to tape his finger.
Djokovic broke on his sixth attempt of the game to take a 4-3 lead in the final.
The drama continued as Djokovic missed two set chances while leading 5-3.
When Djokovic missed an overhead for 5-5, Alcaraz saved two more match chances and broke serve.
The players eventually reached another tiebreak, which Djokovic won after his forehand return went wide.
Djokovic won his 95th career championship and 39th Masters 1000 title.
“I have so much to say, but I’m not sure I have the energy,” Djokovic remarked as he held his trophy. He came to a halt and gazed at Alcaraz.
“You never, ever give up, do you?” He stated. “I admire that about you.” I’m hoping to see you in New York. That would be enjoyable for the fans, but not for me.”
“The match was pretty close,” Alcaraz said. “I’ll be right back.”
More in Sports: https://buzzing.today/sports/
Photo Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/