By Richard Pagliaro| @Tennis_Now | Sunday, August 20, 2023
It was inspired. It was insane. It was intoxicating.
Novak Djokovic’s pulsating 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) triumph over Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati final spanned three hours, 49 minutes and will go down as a match for the ages.
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The 36-year-old Serbian superstar saved a championship point at 5-6 in the tiebreaker then showed champion’s heart and grit capturing his record-extending 39th Masters 1000 championship and 95th career crown.
Afterward, Djokovic summed up a classic clash with the ultimate compliment: It felt like a Grand Slam final.
“One of the toughest and most exciting matches I was ever part of at any tournament, definitely,” Djokovic said during the trophy presentation afterward. “It did feel like a Grand Slam final, to be honest, even more than that.
“Every match we play against each other goes the distance so I hope we can play against each other in some weeks time. It will be nice for the crowd not for me.”
“It did feel like a Grand Slam final to be honest.” @DjokerNole gives today’s 5-star #CincyTennis final the highest marks… pic.twitter.com/wUQ4XKBTsJ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023
This rematch of the Wimbledon final exceeded the blockbuster hype.
Giving up 16 years in age to world No. 1 Alcaraz, Djokovic looked down and out down a set and 2-4, but summoned his warrior spirit to come back.
Seeing Alcaraz skid into a sliding backhand passing shot down the line drew applause from Djokovic and praise after the match.
“What you’ve managed to do the last two three years is unbelievable,” Djokovic told Alcaraz. “Boy, you never give up man. Jesus Christ I mean I love that about you, but sometimes I wish you maybe a few points like this.”
“Spanish never die,” a smiling Alcaraz replied.
“Okay, good I’ve heard that before or I’ve experienced this before,” Djokovic replied.
Hopefully this exhilarating rivalry will resume at the US Open later this month.
Photo credit: Western & Southern Open Facebook
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