Djokovic Saves MP, Stuns Alcaraz For Cincinnati Title

Djokovic was visibly struggling with the intense Cincinnati heat and was unable to find an answer against the top seed. But one poor Alcaraz service game at 4-3 in the second set slightly opened the door, and that was all Djokovic needed to spring to life. By the final-set tie-break, it was the 20-year-old who was struggling physically, cramping in his right hand. Djokovic finally converted his fifth championship point and fell to the court in celebration.

The 95-time tour-level titlist escaped defeat in the second-set tie-break, in which he saved championship point behind his serve at 5/6 with a big serve-forehand combo. Djokovic found his best tennis in the critical moments to triumph. With the win Djokovic moved into outright third on the list of most career match wins with 1,069, passing both Rafael Nadal and Ivan Lendl, trailing only Jimmy Connors (1,274) and Roger Federer (1,251).

It was the pair’s third Lexus ATP Head2Head showdown in just more than two months (now tied 2-2 overall). After Djokovic triumphed in the Roland Garros semi-finals — in which his opponent ironically struggled with nerve-induced cramp — Alcaraz earned his revenge in a memorable five-set Wimbledon final.

“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.”