And what’s this?! Djokovic skates in to retrieve a short ball, flicks it over the net, and Alcaraz sends his response from whence it came … and wide. He’s bang into this now, and the thought of these two spending the next two or three years ruckusing for our pleasure is giving me life. Of course, as I say that he goes long to end another rally of disquieting power, only to make 30-all with an ace, his third of the match, out wide. So Alcaraz lands yet another first serve – he’s at 81% – and the difference in this set is that now it’s being backed up by a forehand that’s gloriously grooved. *Alcaraz 3-6 5-4 Djokovic Djokovic plays an outstanding first point, battering a barrage of backhands to elicit the error. I don’t know what to tell you, people look around, look around, at how lucky we are to be alive right now. Anyhow, he closes out to earn a breaker minimum and this is that rarity: something you knew would be amazing, and yet it turns out you didn’t know anything because it’s amazing in ways you can’t comprehended until they happen. And now look! A cheap error from Alcaraz gives Djokovic set point … and he misses a backhand you expect him to make! Increasingly, it feels like this set will decide the match: if Djokovic wins it, he’ll find one of the next three, but if Alcaraz does, you’d back him to run and hit harder for longer – he looks the stronger man.
So Alcaraz makes 30-15, but a pair of elastic forehands are too good even for the terrific volley he contrives in between and when Djokovioc punishes a second serve, break point looks imminent … except Djokovic again nets at net before winning an exchange of rare intellect and dexterity for deuce, sealing the deal with a leaping volley, arm coming over the top of head. *Alcaraz 3-6 6-5 Djokovic He couldn’t could he? A backhand return whizzes by Alcaraz for a clean winner, then another looks to have given him 0-30 … except, somehow, Alcaraz stays in the rally – I say somehow but what I mean is courtesy of his insane forehand, astounding engine and terrifying desire, so nothing you or I couldn’t do – then Djokovic nets at net.
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