Novak Djokovic triumphed over Carlos Alcaraz in a gripping final at the Cincinnati Open, defeating the Spaniard in a game of 3 sets. The setup of the final was very similar to that of the Wimbledon Championship, where Alcaraz defeated Djokovic to claim his first Wimbledon title. But this time, it was the Serbian who went home the winner after securing victory with a score of 5-7, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-4).

This high-stakes showdown stretched to almost four hours and was a stunning display of skill and determination. Djokovic even likened it to his epic Australian Open final win against Rafael Nadal in 2012, which lasted five hours and 53 minutes.

The victory in Cincinnati is proof of Djokovic’s exceptional mastery of the game, even after all these years. He acknowledged just how tough the match was, stating that each point felt like a battle and that he had not played too many matches like this in his career.

Despite this hard-fought win, Djokovic is still one spot behind world number one Alcaraz on the ATP ranking. But that would not be for long, as Djokovic has the chance to rise to number one if he wins one game at the upcoming US Open. Then again, this all depends on how well Alcaraz is able to perform in his quest for a title defense. 

Alcaraz, a 20-year-old rising star, expressed his admiration for Djokovic after the match, acknowledging the learning experience of competing against such a champion. Despite the disappointment of the loss, Alcaraz’s poise and maturity on the court were evident.

Both Djokovic and Alcaraz are now preparing for the US Open in New York. Alcaraz will aim to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time, while Djokovic seeks to secure his 24th Grand Slam victory after missing last year’s tournament due to Covid vaccination-related issues. The tennis world eagerly awaits their performances on this grand stage.

Leon Osamor