Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz treated fans across the globe to a gruelling battle Sunday in the Western & Southern Open final. Yet only one man could lift the trophy in Cincinnati. After nearly four hours of excitement, in which Djokovic saved a championship point, the Serbian collected his record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 title.
The instant classic even had the 23-time major champion Djokovic taken aback.
“It's a crazy match that we've been through today. Roller coaster of a match,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. “I don't think I've played too many matches like this in my life.
“Maybe I can compare it to [against] Nadal at the 2012 Australian Open that went the distance. Obviously three sets today, but almost four hours. One of the most exciting and toughest mentally, emotionally, physically matches that I've ever had in my career.”
Djokovic and Alcaraz toiled for three hours, 49 minutes before the Serbian avenged his recent Wimbledon final loss to the Spaniard and levelled their Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-2.
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