Unstoppable Djokovic triumphs magnificently in heart-stopping match, outshines Alcaraz to seize first Masters 1000 crow of the year at Cincinnati Open

Monday, 21 August 2023 at 02:33

Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Open final by 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) and claimed his third Cincinnati Open title.

The most anticipated final between world No. 1 and world No. 2 took place in the main stadium of the Western & Southern Open. Alcaraz and Djokovic faced each other in another final following the young star's triumph at Wimbledon to secure his second Grand Slam.

With a H2H of 2-1 in favor of Alcaraz, with only one of those encounters being in a final, played at the All England Club, they had never before met on hardcourts.

The world No. 1 faced challenges throughout the week to advance in the rounds. All his matches went to three sets, and he entered the final with 10 hours and 40 minutes on court during the week, far from Djokovic's 4 hours and 59 minutes.

Read also

Alcaraz defeated Thompson, Paul, Purcell, and Hurckacz to reach his eighth final of the season, with a previous record of 6 victories and only one loss.

'Nole' had a tough draw from the start, but he was vastly superior in each of his matches against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Gael Monfils, Taylor Fritz, and Alexander Zverev without dropping a set.

The early games of the match were quite tense, with both players defending their serves and avoiding taking too many risks. Djokovic struck first in the sixth game, taking a 4-2 lead, but Alcaraz immediately reacted to break back and keep the set level.

After the first break, both players displayed more aggression. Djokovic capitalized on net approaches to win several points, and longer rallies were played.

ATP Tour

@atptour

·Follow

Carlos firecracker 🧨 Djokovic stands and applauds this sizzling shot from the world No.1 @carlosalcaraz | @CincyTennis | #CincyTennis

Watch on X

9:35 PM · Aug 20, 2023

352

Read 4 replies

Read also

At 5-5, Alcaraz capitalized on his opponent's errors and secured a break that later helped him win the first set 7-5.

At the start of the second set, Djokovic appeared fatigued and overwhelmed by the heat. Already in the first set, he showed signs of fatigue, and after receiving an early break in the third game, 'Nole' requested a medical timeout and told the doctor he felt dizzy and had a headache due to the intense heat in the stadium.

Upon returning to the match, Djokovic was visibly affected physically but managed to immediately earn a break point in his favor, yet he couldn't capitalize on it. The Serbian attempted to shorten the points by taking more risks in his shots and approaching the net.

Read also

Despite facing physical challenges, Djokovic exhibited resilience as he overcame difficulties to secure a break, clinching three consecutive games and establishing a 5-4 advantage against an inconsistent Alcaraz. The set culminated in an exhilarating tie-break, during which the world No. 2 rose above the challenges and didn't succumb to pressure, ultimately winning the set 7-6(7).

In the third set, after facing several break points in his favor, Djokovic achieved a crucial break in the seventh game. This break proved to be sufficient to overcome his opponent, effectively turning the match around and leveling the head-to-head record at 2-2.

Despite having two match points with his opponent's serve at 5-3, Alcaraz demonstrated resilience and exerted pressure on 'Nole' to close the match with his own serve.

A heart-stopping final game was witnessed as Djokovic saved three break points against him and committed a double fault on his first match point in the game

The 23-time Grand Slam champion remained composed and successfully secured the third set 7-6, solidifying his third Cincinnati Open title.

The next challenge for both players will be the US Open, which starts on August 30th, where they are the top two seeds and will be positioned at opposite ends of the draw.

The Tennis Letter

@TheTennisLetter

·Follow

Novak Djokovic d. Carlos Alcaraz 5-7 7-6(7) 7-6 What on earth did we just watch. Match point saved. Longest best of 3 Masters final ever. At age 36, struggling with the conditions… clawing his way through a match like this only adds to his gleaming legacy ✅39th Masters

12:32 AM · Aug 21, 2023

4.2K

Read 100 replies

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 1visitors 1

From one current American icon to another: Pegula set to honor Billie Jean King with Battle of the Sexes themed US Open outfit

2023 Japan Open WTA Entry List featuring Tsurenko, Lin Zhu and Stearns