2023-07-16 18:47:00
“It’s a dream come true for me,” explained Carlos Alcaraz in the winner’s interview.
Novak Djokovic, however, showed himself to be a great sportsman and an absolutely fair loser. “What quality at the end when you had to serve out. You served great and deserve it – unbelievable,” said the Serb.
Djokovic had to fend off a breakball in the first game. Only the defending champion faltered briefly, who put enormous pressure on Alcaraz and suddenly led 4-0 following 25 minutes.
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“The return is so good that you lose the point once morest Novak,” explained “Sky” expert Mischa Zverev. “That bothers me with Carlos: he gets the second break in the same way.”
Alcaraz quarrels and reacts
However, the endgame was closer in this phase than the clear score suggested. Alcaraz certainly showed that he is capable of endangering the Serbs. But he acted more cleverly in the important rallies and brought the set lead home following 34 minutes.
“It’s not that Carlos doesn’t work hard, but Novak brings a completely different attitude to the pitch,” said Zverev. And it was obvious to Alcaraz that he was surprised at how the final went. In between, the 20-year-old grumbled in the direction of his box, it didn’t go well.
That changed. Alcaraz managed the first break to make it 2-0 in the second game of the second set. The Spaniard was now much better in the game, but had to let Djokovic come back (2: 2). “The average speed of the shots is incredibly high,” praised Zverev.
Djokovic and Alcaraz carry fans away
The finalists offered the spectators on the Center Court top-class lawn tennis, it was both spectacular and exciting. Up to now it was Alcaraz who attracted the attention of most fans, but now more and more “Nole, Nole” calls echoed through the arena.
In the tie-break, however, the superstar gambled away a 3-0 lead and missed a set ball at 6-5. The 36-year-old made a surprising number of mistakes in this phase, which Alcaraz finally used to equalize sentences.
The US Open winner took the momentum with him into the third round and immediately took the first service game from the defending champion. “He has less pressure now, not afraid of the long rallies,” said Zverev. Nevertheless, Alcaraz threatened to equalize quickly, but he prevented it with two deflected breakballs and instead secured the 3-1 lead.
Alcaraz wins monster game over 26 minutes
The world number one was now the more stable player, while Djokovic was desperately looking for a way to get his foot in the door once more. On the contrary: the longest game of the game, which lasted 26 minutes, 32 rallies and 13 times, the record Grand Slam champion had to give up (1: 4).
With two more game wins in a row, Alcaraz marched to the set lead. A deserved lead for the challenger, who now made significantly fewer mistakes and had the better arguments in terms of play.
Djokovic forces the fifth set
Djokovic disappeared into the catacombs for almost seven minutes, fighting doggedly to turn the match around. With success: In the fifth game he broke through the service of the industry leader to 3:2.
The body language changed immediately. The veteran clenched his fist once more and once more and moved better. Djokovic suddenly dictated what was happening and forced the fifth set following 3:54 hours.
Alcaraz manages a decisive break
The drama took its course: Djokovic missed the huge opportunity to break to 2-0 with a slight mistake and had to give up his service game to make it 2-1 a little later.
Despite fierce resistance and good returns from Djokovic, Alcaraz managed to confirm the break – and take it with him until he perfected the tournament victory on his own serve in the tenth game.
“I thought I had problems with you on clay and hard court, but now it’s different. It’s unbelievable how you’ve adapted to this surface,” Djokovic praised the new champion.
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