Carlos Alcaraz came back from one set down to beat world number 1 Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-4 6-4 in a re-match of this year’s Wimbledon final at the Riyadh Season Tennis Cup.
Alcaraz broke in Djokovic’s first game and saved break points in the second game to hold serve for 2-0. Djokovic broke back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2 and saved three break points from 0-40 down at 4-3 in the seventh game to hold serve. Alcaraz served to stay in the set in the 10th game and was broken at love with a double fault.
Alcaraz held five consecutive service games in the second set and broke serve at 15 in the second game. Alcaraz did not convert a break point in the third game and won the fourth game to open up a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard served well and barely dropped a point in the fourth, sixth and eighth games to take a 5-3 lead.
Alcaraz held serve to win the second set 6-4 forcing the match to the third set. The 2023 Wimbledon champion broke serve in the third game of the decider and held serve at deuce in the next game to open up a 3-1 lead. Djokovic fended off a break point in the fifth game. Alcaraz converted his third break point in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3.
Alcaraz earned the decisive break in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead and held serve in the 10th game to seal the third set 6-4.
“It’s incredible to share the court with him. Learning from him is amazing. I grew up watching him the big tournaments. I have always dreamed about being in this position, playing against him face to face. I am really happy to be able to do that and hopefully we can keep going. He seems like he is 20, so we are going to share the court more than once. It’s amazing”, said Alcaraz.
