Novak Djokovic won the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, beating world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in three straight sets 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) in less than four hours. It was the longest race in the history of the tournament. Here’s what you need to know:
Djokovic saved a championship point on his way to winning the second playoff. Tied at 3-3 in the third game, Djokovic converted on his fifth break chance. Despite being broken serving for the match at 5-4 – and unable to convert four championship points – Djokovic rallied to win the final set. With the win, Djokovic has 95 ATP titles and 39 ATP Masters 1000 tournament wins.
Awesome in Ohio! 🤯
Masters ironman @DjokerNole is @CincyTennis champion for third time #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/YJkXvHBWUK
— ATP Tour (@atptur) August 21, 2023
Back story
Alcaraz and Djokovic meet for the third time in 2023 at the Cincinnati Open. The first time it took place was in the semifinals of the French Open, where Djokovic won in four games.
In the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz dethroned Djokovic in five sets to win his second title. It was the first time Djokovic had lost on Center Court at Wimbledon in 10 years.
Alcaraz enters the US Open as the world No. 1 and the No. 1 seed. He will be looking to defend his US Open title from 2022.
Djokovic will be the number 2 seed in Flushing Meadows. Djokovic’s US Open win brings him 24 titles.
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(Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)