Djokovic Saves MP Against Alcaraz, Forces Decider In Cincinnati Final

Novak Djokovic has dug deep, saving a championship point to force a deciding set against Carlos Alcaraz in the Western & Southern Open final.

World No. 1 Alcaraz seemed in full control leading by a set and a break, and was two holds from capturing his third ATP Masters 1000 trophy of the season. Djokovic appeared to be struggling with the intense Cincinnati heat and was unable to find an answer to turn the tide.

But one sloppy service game from the top seed opened the door and Djokovic stormed through it. The 38-time Masters 1000 champion snapped into high gear and after saving championship point at 6/7 in the tie-break with a big forehand, levelled the match, 5-7, 7-6(7).

It is the pair’s third Lexus ATP Head2Head showdown in just more than two months. After Djokovic triumphed in the Roland Garros semi-finals, Alcaraz earned his revenge in a memorable five-set Wimbledon final. Djokovic is trying to strike back, and both men have saved match point in the tournament — Alcaraz staved off defeat against Hubert Hurkacz in the semi-finals.

The opening set was a tense start to a highly anticipated championship clash. Over 62 minutes, both men worked their way into the match and each had opportunities to take the advantage. But despite trailing 2-4, Alcaraz stormed back to earn the lead.

On a hot day, both stars quickly used ice towels to try to keep themselves cool during changeovers. For the first eight games of the match, rallies were almost entirely played from the baseline, with the players trying to find their range from deep in the court. Neither truly was at his very best.

Alcaraz often varied the height he hit over the net, but was unable to take advantage of early openings with errors off his typically devastating forehand wing.

But as the set wore on, Alcaraz began to find his range on the backhand, while Djokovic hit one neutral backhand that bounced before the net. After getting back on serve, Alcaraz earned the deciding break of the set by rushing the 36-year-old’s forehand.

Leading to the final, Alcaraz needed a deciding set in all four of his matches, while Djokovic did not lose a set. But it was the latter who had difficulty with the hot conditions by the end of the first set. As Alcaraz found his game, he was unable to click through the gears and instead began making unforced errors and was unable to take the initiative in rallies.

Did You Know?
This is the first time since 2012 the top two players in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings are meeting in the Western & Southern Open final.