Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, acknowledges the gang as he holds the Rookwood Cup after defeating Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the course of the males’s singles last of the Western & Southern Open tennis match on August 20, 2023, in Mason, Ohio.| Photo Credit: AP

Novak Djokovic wanted 5 match factors and practically 4 hours to drag off a gritty victory over Carlos Alcaraz and declare a 3rd ATP Cincinnati Open title on Sunday.

A titanic battle between the world's prime two gamers noticed Djokovic — who regarded out on his toes within the second set — save a match level earlier than coming by way of on his personal fifth match level for a 5-7, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4) triumph.

"It's crazy, I don't know what I can say," mentioned 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who was seen by the medical doctors early within the second set for warmth sickness in a battle that lasted three hours and 44 minutes.

"It's tough to describe. It was the toughest I've ever played in my life.

"From begin to end we each went by way of highs, lows, unbelievable factors, unhealthy video games, heatstroke, comebacks.

"Overall this was the toughest and most exciting match I've ever been a part of.

"It's matches like these that I proceed to work for."

Novak Djokovic, proper, of Serbia, poses with Carlos Alcaraz, left, of Spain, for images after the lads’s singles last of the Western & Southern Open tennis match.| Photo Credit:AP

It was one other epic chapter to the budding rivalry between 20-year-old top-ranked Alcaraz and the 36-year-old Serb star, who avenged his loss to the Spaniard in a five-set Wimbledon last final month.

The two — who've traded the primary rating six instances this yr — at the moment are stage on two wins apiece of their head-to-head rivalry.

Djokovic, who earned a record-extending thirty ninth victory on the elite Masters 1000 stage, secured the primary break of the opening set, sending Alcaraz sprawling as broke to like for a 4-2 lead.

A couple of minutes later, nonetheless, the Spaniard returned the favor.

Alcaraz then broke for a 6-5 lead then held to take the set earlier than Djokovic left the courtroom for a seven-minute change of garments.

Djokovic, clearly affected by the new, muggy circumstances, was visited by the coach and physician within the second set.

He was damaged to path 2-1, Alcaraz happening to take a 4-2 lead with a drop shot that Djokovic could not contact.

But the 23-time Grand Slam winner drew cheers as he broke Alcaraz to climb again in, leveling the set at 4-4 on the way in which to a tie-breaker.

Alcaraz had an opportunity to place it away, however Djokovic saved a match level at 5-6 within the tie-breaker. They went to a 3rd set when Alcaraz dumped a shot into the online on Djokovic's second set level.

Never unsure

Djokovic headed off to the locker room for one more clothes change whereas Alcaraz pounded his proper hand on his bench in frustration as he sat down.

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, kisses the Rookwood Cup as he poses for images after defeating Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the course of the males’s singles last of the Western & Southern Open tennis match.| Photo Credit:AP

The Spaniard — who then wanted to have a finger taped up — was damaged in a nine-minute seventh recreation that featured 5 break factors.

The back-and-forth battle continued, Djokovic unable to transform when he served for the match at 5-4 however placing it away two video games later in what the ATP Tour mentioned was the longest best-of-three set last in tour historical past.

A weary Djokovic dropped to the courtroom in reduction, then bounced up and ripped his shirt entrance down the center as he let loose a roar of triumph or agony — or maybe a little bit of each.

"I was never in doubt that I could deliver the match when it mattered the most," he mentioned, including that the rivalry with Alcaraz "is just getting better and better."

"Carlos is an amazing player, I have tons of respect for him," Djokovic mentioned. "He is so poised at such a young age."

Alcaraz did sufficient in Cincinnati to make sure he'll stay primary on the planet this week, and would be the prime seed for his title protection on the U.S. Open that begins on August 28.

Djokovic, who declined to be vaccinated towards COVID-19, was enjoying his first U.S. match in two years, a return Stateside that may now take him to Flushing Meadows, the place he's a three-time champion.