Novak Djokovic is about to deprive Alcaraz of a major milestone, at the upcoming US open. The Serb and the Spaniard were the protagonists of one of the most contested and epic finals in an ATP Masters 1000 event.The Serbian’s victory will also have a strong impact on the scenarios that will characterize the fight for the first position in the rankings at the US Open.The Serbian is only 20 points behind his closest rival and, considering that he missed the US Open last year, he will have a great opportunity to leave Flushing Meadows as the new ATP world no.1.Alcaraz will have to defend the 2000 points obtained in 2022: Djokovic will only need to win one match to secure first place in the men’s ranking.
Regardless of the result that Alcaraz will achieve, only one victory separates Djokovic from the beginning of a new reign.So, Nole is about to get this milestone, but the Spaniard would still have the chance to close the year as number one in the coming months: an injury has in fact prevented him from playing the last tournaments of 2022
The challenge between the Serbian champion and the young Spaniard at the Western & Southern Open probably saved a tournament up to that moment rather disappointing from a qualitative point of view.In fact, many tennis players encountered several problems during the first rounds due to adverse weather conditions.
As admitted by some of the protagonists during the week, the wind made it impossible to control the ball adequately. Djokovic and Alcaraz, however, did everything possible to remedy by creating an epic final. The Spaniard seemed in total control in the second set, but gave the counter break to a really struggling Djokovic.The Serbian blamed the effects of the strong heatwave in the first part of the match.
Backed to the wall, Djokovic disallowed a match point in the tie-break that fixed the score. In the decisive set, however, it was Alcaraz who raised his head and canceled four match points, two with spectacular shots, before the final sprint.Djokovic had the merit of playing the tie-break with greater clarity and won the 95th title of his career.
