M 1000 CINCINNATI.By Gabriel Matteazzi
Novak Djokovic overcame a match point and stifling heat to beat world number one Carlos Alcaraz 5-7 7-6(7) 7-6(4) and win the Cincinnati Open in a thriller match on Sunday.
The 36-year-old rallied from a set and a break down against the World No. 1 and saved a championship point at 5/6 in the second-set tie-break to earn a record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 title. Despite letting slip an opportunity to serve for the title at 5-4 in the third set, he bounced back to triumph after a gripping three hours and 49 minutes.
“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.”
“It is going to be tough for me to talk right now but I tried to do my best,” Alcaraz said.
“This rivalry just gets better. It gets better and better,” Djokovic said. “Amazing player. Tonnes of respect for him. For such a young player to show so much poise in important moments is impressive.”
“I want to congratulate Novak once again. It’s amazing to play against you, share the court with you, learn from you. This match was really close but I learned a lot.”
The win delivered Djokovic his 95th career title and 39th Masters 1000 crown.
He will look to add a 24th Grand Slam trophy to his collection at the upcoming U.S. Open, which runs from Aug. 28-Sept. 10.
“Every one of our matches goes the distance,” Djokovic said to Alcaraz. The pair are now 2-2 in their generational rivalry. “Hopefully we can play in some weeks’ time in New York,” he said. “That would be nice for the crowd, I don’t know about me.”