Djokovic Is The King Of The Queen City, Wins Cincinnati Masters Crown

Novak Djokovic, Cincinnati, ATP
Novak Djokovic (photo: ATP Tour video)

CINCINNATI/WASHINGTON, August 21, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)

As the world’s top two men’s players, No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and No. 2 Novak Djokovic of Serbia, walked out on court to play their ATP Masters 1000 Western & Southern Open title match on Sunday – something everyone wanted, both the fans who filled Center Court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center as well as a worldwide TV audience – one wondered if they would give the tennis universe another classic like they did at Wimbledon five weeks ago, which Alcaraz won 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

“It’s great. It’s amazing for the sport, No. 1 and No. 2 in the world facing each other again the final of a big event. This is what everybody wanted and expected at the start of the tournament,” Djokovic said on the eve of the final that would be worth nearly $1.2 million in prize money plus 1,000 ATP Rankings points to the winner. “Now here we are.”

Meeting for the third straight tournament that both have played in going back to Roland Garros, just who would win this time?

After three hours and 49 minutes, in what was arguably the most outstanding best-of-3-set match of the season – thanks to the incredible shot making displayed by both competitors not to mention their mental fortitude – Djokovic emerged with a dramatic 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) victory over Alcaraz that required five championship points to decide its thrilling outcome.

The 23-time major champion Djokovic rallied to his 38th victory and fourth title of the season from a set and a break down against the 20-year-old Alcaraz. He saved a championship point at 5-6 during a second-set tie-break en route to earning his record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 crown. Although Djokovic let slip a chance to serve for the match and title at 5-4 in the third set, he used every ounce of reserve energy he had to hold off Alcaraz at the end to win the Cincinnati Masters title for the third time.

“Crazy,” said Djokovic in his on-court interview before the trophy ceremony, using a single word to describe the Cincinnati Masters final, which was played with temperatures in the low 90s (Fahrenheit). “Honestly, I don’t know what else I can say. Tough to describe. Definitely one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in my life, regardless what tournament, what category, what level, what player. It’s unbelievable. From the beginning until the end we’ve been through so much, so many ups and downs, highs and lows, incredible points, poor games, heat strokes, coming back.

“Just overall, one of the toughest and most exciting matches I was ever part of and these are the kinds of moments and matches that I continue to work for day in day out. I was never in doubt that I can deliver the ‘A’ game when it mattered the most and [I am] just thrilled.”

Indicative of the skill level and excitement both players provided, in the 10th game of the final set, Alcaraz won a 13-minute, 14-point game in which he saved two championship points and broke Djokovic on his fourth break-point opportunity of the game. It would take 17 more minutes of high-energy play before Djokovic could muster another championship point.

While Alcaraz strung together 11 aces and 42 winners and won 71 percent of his first-serve points, Djokovic was nearly as impressive but just as effective. He totaled 27 winners and won 66 percent of his service points. He outpointed Alcaraz 133-128. The difference came down to Djokovic winning five more return points than Alcaraz. The match was the longest in tournament history.

Alcaraz was gracious in defeat and praised Djokovic on his latest title victory. “It’s amazing playing against you, sharing the court with you, learning from you,” he said after receiving his runner-up trophy. “This match was really close, but I learned a lot from a champion like you. So, congratulations to you and your team.”

Coming into Sunday’s final, in what has developed into arguably the most important men’s rivalry, Alcaraz led Djokovic 2-1 and most recently beat the 23-time major champion in a remarkable five-set Wimbledon title match that stretched across four hours, 43 minutes.

Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, Alcaraz will remain No. 1 by virtue of reaching the Cincinnati final. However, Djokovic’s victory gives the 36-year-old Belgrade native – now the oldest champion in Western & Southern Open tournament history by a year – some welcome momentum going into the US Open, which starts in a week.

“This rivalry just gets better. It gets better and better,” Djokovic said. “Amazing player, tons of respect for him. For such a young player to show so much poise in important moments is impressive.”

As the year’s final Grand Slam arrives, Djokovic has won two majors this season (the Australian Open and Roland Garros) while Alcaraz has won Wimbledon and arrives in New York as the U.S. Open reigning champion with 2,000 points to defend. However, Djokovic enters the US Open just 20 points behind Alcaraz, and with no points to defend due to not being able to enter the United States to play in last year’s event because of his non-vaccinated status against COVID-19, he has an excellent chance of reclaiming the No. 1 ranking.

Gonzalez and Molteni win their first Masters 1000 title

After saving match points in both their semifinal and championship matches, Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni have clinched their first ATP Masters 1000 doubles title by winning Western & Southern Open final. It’s also their second doubles crown this month after capturing the Mubadala Citi DC Open title two weeks ago in Washington, D.C. and tour-leading fifth of the season.

On Sunday afternoon, the unseeded Argentine duo saved a championship point to beat Jamie Murray of Great Britain and Michael Venus of New Zealand, 3-6, 6-1, 11-9, in an hour and 23 minutes. Gonzalez and Molteni outpointed the British/Kiwi pair 55-51.

“It means a lot,” Molteni said. “We have worked very hard for many years, not only this year. So, it’s a great accomplishment. It was a very tough week, final, everything. So, we are very happy with this title. It’s the biggest title we have, so we are very happy.”

Facing championship point at 8-9 in the match tie-break, the 40-year-old Gonzalez struck a second-serve ace to draw even. Then, two points later, he hit the decisive return off a Venus serve that gave the Argentines the title.

“They started better than us, but we always keep fighting,” Gonzalez said. “We know each other, we know we are a team that fights for every ball. We knew we would have a chance, and we took it in the second set. We are used to playing match tie-breaks, and we are really happy for this title.”

Gonzalez and Molteni are now 5-0 in tour-level finals this season and their 2023 win-loss record improved to 32-14.

“I think [it helps that] we can practice together in our home, Buenos Aires. We have a very good relationship. We are friends, so that is easier during the season, traveling all the weeks together,” Molteni added. “We have a good atmosphere between us. I think that’s theynkey for playing good on the court as well.”

The winners, who have moved into third place in the Pepperstone ATP live Doubles Team Rankings, will split $312,740 in first-place prize money and each earns 1,000 ATP Rankings points.

By the numbers

With his 1,069th career match win in Saturday’s semifinals, Novak Djokovic moved into a tie for third place for most career victories, one ahead of Rafael Nadal and Ivan Lendl. Djokovic trails No. 1 Jimmy Connors (1,274) and No. 2 Roger Federer (1,251).

“Quotable …”

Novak Djokovic: “Boy, you never give up. … I mean, I love this about you but I wish you would play some points like this.” (Djokovic gives a half-hearted swinging gesture.)

Carlos Alcaraz: “Spaniards never die.”

Djokovic: “I’ve experienced this before!”

– Novak Djokovic of Serbia, during his trophy acceptance speech after defeating Carlos Alcaraz.

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