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