cnn
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Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) on Sunday to avenge his Wimbledon final loss and capture the Western & Southern Open title in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Playing in his first tournament on US soil since 2021, the 36-year-old Serbian recovered from a set and a break down against the world number one, while saving a championship point to claim his third Cincinnati Open title and world number one title. 95 on the ATP Tour. of his career.
After the three-hour, 49-minute match, which was the longest best-of-three-set final on the ATP Tour since 1990, Djokovic fell to the ground for several seconds before getting up and tearing off his shirt.
“Definitely one of the most difficult and exciting matches I have participated in in any tournament,” an exhausted Djokovic said after the match. “To be honest, it felt like a Grand Slam final even more than that. Every game we play against each other goes to the end.”
In what could be a preview of the US Open final next month, Djokovic said he hoped to play the 20-year-old “in a few weeks in New York,” pausing momentarily before adding “for the crowd.” ”. “I don’t know about myself, it wouldn’t be nice.”
Alcaraz had the 23-time Major champion on the ropes in the second set, leading 4-3, before a series of errors, including four unforced errors, breathed new life into Djokovic.
The second set would go to a tie break where the Serbian saved a championship point to force the decisive third set after winning a 25-stroke rally.
In the third set, Djokovic failed to capitalize on multiple championship points and the duo would enter another tiebreaker, in which Djokovic would emerge victorious.
“It's incredible to play against you, to share the court with you, to learn from you,” Alcaraz told Djokovic during the trophy ceremony. “This match was very close, but I learned a lot from a champion like you. Congratulations to you and your team.”
Djokovic was playing his first tournament on American soil since his US Open final loss against Daniil Medvedev in 2021. Djokovic is not vaccinated against Covid-19 and had previously been unable to enter the country for the past two years.
However, vaccine requirements for non-US travelers were lifted earlier this year, allowing Djokovic to compete in Cincinnati.
The next meeting for both players is the US Open, which begins on August 28 in New York. Djokovic will look to capture her 24th career Grand Slam singles title and surpass Margaret Court for the most all-time, both men's and women's.
