Novak Djokovic claimed his 39th Masters 1000 title in dramatic fashion by outlasting Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon final that took place at the Western and Southern Open.
The world No.2 was down a set and a break against Alcaraz before fighting back to prevail 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4). The roller-coaster encounter lasted three hours and 49 minutes which makes it the longest best-of-three finals to take place in ATP Tour history (since 1990). Djokovic saved a match point in the second set tiebreaker before failing to convert four of his own in the decider where he lost his 5-3 lead. Despite the blip, he held his nerve to prevail and avenge his defeat to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final last month.
“It was a crazy match that we’ve been through. A roller-coaster of a match. I don’t think I’ve played too many matches like this in my life,” Djokovic said afterward.
“Maybe I can compare it to the Nadal final at the 2012 Australian Open that went the distance.’
“Some phases of the match went the way of one player, some with the other player. We went kind of toe to toe. I started off better, but then just struggled a lot physically on the court. He was a set and a break (up).’
“(It was) one of the most exciting and toughest mentally, emotionally, and physically matches that I’ve ever had in my career.”
Djokovic’s epic triumph is his 1069th Tour win which puts him ahead of Ivan Lendl on the all-list to third place. Only Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors have won more. He has now won 95 ATP titles and is only the second man to have registered 10 wins over a world No.1 player on a hardcourt since the ATP rankings was created in 1973.
The titanic clash took its toll on both players both physically and mentally. Moments after securing one of the most thrilling wins of his career, a jubilant Djokovic ripped his shirt in sheer delight. Meanwhile, a drained Alcaraz began to shed tears.
“I feel proud of myself,” said Alcaraz. “I don’t know why I was crying because I fought until the last ball. I almost beat one of the greatest of all time from our sport.”
“I left everything on the court. For me, it’s great that he knows that every time he’s going to play against me, it reminds him of playing against Rafa or against the best ones because that means we (my team) are on a good path.”
Djokovic has now drawn level with Alcaraz at 2-2 in their head-to-head. Cincinnati was the first time the two have clashed on a hardcourt. It is the second match in a row that has turned into a classic encounter. At Wimbledon, the 20-year-old prevailed in five sets after almost five hours of play.
“It doesn’t surprise me anymore,” Djokovic said of Alcaraz’s mental and emotional strength. “It was surprising to me at the end of last year or the beginning of this year. What he was doing, the way he won big matches, big tournaments. So impressive.”
“You just have to put your hats down to a guy like that. Who plays so maturely and handles the pressure so well for a 20-year-old. We cannot forget how young he is. That’s something that is so impressive about him.”
Djokovic has become the oldest player to win Cincinnati at the age of 36.
