CINCINNATI: In an electrifying and heart-pounding showdown on Sunday, Novak Djokovic clinched the Cincinnati Open title by overcoming a match point and battling through stifling heat to defeat the world’s number one player, Carlos Alcaraz, with a score of 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4).
Djokovic’s victory was especially sweet as it allowed him to avenge his loss to the young Spanish sensation in last month’s Wimbledon final. After nearly four hours of intense competition, Djokovic collapsed on his back and ripped his shirt open in a moment of triumph.
With his third Cincinnati Open title secured, Djokovic, while collecting the trophy, expressed, “So much to say and so little energy. It has been a roller coaster and definitely one of the toughest and most exciting matches that I’ve ever been a part of in any tournament. It did feel like a Grand Slam final, even more than that, to be honest.”
Djokovic faced challenges, notably the oppressive humidity in the latter stages of the first set, which saw him struggle to move as Alcaraz claimed the set.
Alcaraz surged ahead in the second set with a 4-2 lead, seemingly poised to cruise to victory as Djokovic appeared fatigued in the Ohio heat. However, a critical lapse in Alcaraz’s service game at 4-3, marked by four unforced errors, breathed new life into the world number two.
In a dramatic second-set tiebreak, Djokovic saved a championship point, eventually forcing a decisive third set after winning a grueling 25-shot rally. Prior to the third set, a frustrated Alcaraz, visibly agitated, pounded his right hand against a plastic drinks container, requiring a medical timeout to tape his finger.
Djokovic’s victory in this thrilling final once again underscores his remarkable resilience and prowess on the tennis court.
