World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will face off in an thrilling semi-final on the Nitto ATP Finals on Saturday. Since their first assembly on the Mutua Madrid Open 2022, the 2 stars have proven their recreation and combating spirit to create an unforgettable duel.
Forward of the battle in Turin, ATPTour.com appears to be like again on the earlier 4 Lexus ATP Head2Head matches.
Madrid 2022 Olympic Video games, San Francisco, Alcaraz d. Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5)
On the 2022 Mutua Madrid Open, Alcaraz proved that he’s greater than only a rising expertise. After defeating compatriot Rafael Nadal within the quarter-finals, his recreation did not get any simpler in opposition to high seed Djokovic.
Within the pair’s first Lexus ATP head-to-head assembly, Djokovic totally appreciated Alcaraz’s talents. The house favorites carry an array of energy and talent to Caja Magica.
Alcaraz hit 51 winners to Djokovic’s 24, and his flurry of small balls despatched the Serbs into chaos. Because the match drew to a detailed, {the teenager} hit a strong forehand winner to beat the world primary after 3 hours and 36 minutes, turning into the primary to defeat Nadal and Djokovic on the identical clay court docket. participant of.
“I knew I had a very good recreation,” Alcaraz mentioned. “For the remainder of the season, I feel I can play in opposition to one of the best gamers on the planet and beat them, so that offers me numerous confidence.”
Picture: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Roland Garros 2023, SF, Djokovic D. Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
When the 2023 French Open draw comes out, all eyes will likely be on the explosive semi-final between Djokovic and Alcaraz. After an awesome showdown in Madrid, can Alcaraz replicate the extent he carried out in opposition to the world primary in 5 units?
Djokovic appeared to dominate early, however Alcaraz struggled to win the second set, and when he did, a basic gave the impression to be brewing. However as an alternative, the Spaniard started cramping early within the third set and was unable to recuperate.
Djokovic was left to remove the ailing Alcaraz, which he did with out difficulty, ending their first assembly at a Grand Slam with none nerves.
“I instructed him on the Web. He is aware of he’s nonetheless younger. He nonetheless has numerous time, so I used to be certain many instances that he would win this recreation,” Djokovic mentioned. “He is an unbelievable participant, an unbelievable competitor and a very good man, so he deserves all of the applause and all of the help.”
Alcaraz publicly expressed his emotions after dropping to the eventual champion. He mentioned: “Truthfully, I am disenchanted with myself, in a match like this, coming into this match with a very good feeling, bodily feeling good, however on the finish of the second set, originally of the third set Cramps, it is actually unhealthy.” It is disappointing. But it surely occurs and I’ve to take care of it. “
Picture: Getty Photos
Wimbledon 2023, F, Alcaraz D. Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
Alcaraz didn’t wait lengthy to actual his revenge on Djokovic. However getting into the Wimbledon last, all eyes have been on the Serbian’s pursuit of historical past. Simply two years later, Djokovic was one match away from successful a Grand Slam (all 4 in the identical season), and he was as soon as once more in a very good place to win the Australian Open, French Open, and return to Wimbledon last.
After the 2 met within the semi-finals in Paris, Djokovic grew to become the favourite for SW19. Not solely has he confirmed he is able to rising to the problem of youthful opponents, however he is additionally a seven-time Wimbledon champion, whereas Alcaraz has solely competed on grass twice in his profession till 2023.
When the 23-time Grand Slam winner surged via the primary set, he seemed to be extending his successful streak to 35 video games. Djokovic received the set level with a rating of 6/5 within the second set tie-break, however missed a spot and made a backhand into the online, altering the course and historical past of the sport.
Alcaraz got here again energized to win a battle that lasted 4 hours and 42 minutes to assert his second Grand Slam title.
“It is a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz mentioned. “As I mentioned earlier than, it is nice to win, however even when I lose, I will be pleased with how properly I carried out. Making historical past on this lovely occasion, taking part in in a last in opposition to a legend of our sport.”
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2023 Cincinnati Station, F, Djokovic D. Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4)
Recent off the basic Wimbledon last, followers have been handled to a different feast within the Western and Southern Open last, the primary match between the pair on exhausting courts.
Just some months after Alcaraz was unwell at Roland Garros, Djokovic did not appear to be himself within the Cincinnati last. Alcaraz took agency management of the match, successful a set and breaking function he appeared to cost for Pepperstone’s year-end ATP rating.
Had Alcaraz held serve twice at 4-3 within the second set, the match might need been forgotten. However as an alternative, he gave his opponent an opportunity and Djokovic turned their conflict right into a basic. He saved the championship level with a rating of 5/6 within the second set tie-break, forcing the sport into an exhilarating decider.
Each males raised their degree and when Djokovic served for the win within the third set, Alcaraz confirmed his willpower to interrupt serve. The 36-year-old prevailed after three hours and 49 minutes in what was the longest best-of-three last in ATP Tour historical past (since 1990).
“General, this was one of many hardest and most fun video games I’ve ever performed, and these are the moments and video games that I proceed to work on day after day,” Djokovic mentioned. “I by no means doubted myself. Capacity to play “A” degree video games at a very powerful moments, [I am] Simply excited. “