4h ago 14.20 EDT Right then – that, I guess, is us. Thanks all for your company and comments – sorry I couldn’t get to them all – not just today, but over the last fortnight. If anyone’s got any ideas as to what on earth we do tomorrow, I’m all ears, but in the meantime, congratulations to both our finalists – we might just’ve seen the start of a new era – and congratulations of Ons Jabeur and Markéta Vondrousová too. Otherwise, that is Wimbeldon 2023; peace out.
4h ago 14.14 EDT Cradling his new baby, Alcaraz says this is a dream come true. It’s great to win but even if he’d lost he’d still be proud of himself, making history, playing a final against a legend on this court. It’s amazing for a boy 20 years old reaching this stage so fast, he’s proud of himself and his team, the work they put in every day. After the first set he thought “Carlos increase the level”, and says he started playing tennis watching Djokovic, who inspires him a lot, winning tournaments even when he was born.He quotes Djokovic, who said the other day that “36 is the new 26” and what he’s doing is amazing. He’s proud to have the King of Spain supporting him, he’s watched him twice and he’s won twice so hopes he comes more often. Wimbledon is very special for him, he’s delighted to now be a member, and he will come and visit outside of the tournament for sure. What a lovely young man he is.
4h ago 14.09 EDT “Good afternoon to everyone,” deadpans Djokovic, congratulating the champ and the nonsensical manner in which he responded to pressure. “Amazing, amazing … I thought I’ll have trouble with you on clay and maybe hard, not on grass … amazing way to adapt top the surface, you played maybe once or twice before this year … amazing, well done to your team.” He says he you never like to lose matches like this but when the dust settles, he knows he’s won many matches like this, referencing 2019 against Federer, and has won many matches he should’ve lost “so this is even Steven.” asked if he’s proud of what he’s achieved this year he says tomorrow he will be but not today. These are the moments you work for, he’s been blessed with many great moments but today he lost to a better player and I’ve no idea how he, or anyone in this position holds it down – my eyeballs are sweating and I’m just sitting here typing nonsense. He’s happy to see his son there still smiling, then pauses for a few seconds just to share a look, and I’m absolutely done … so is he. “I love you, thank you for supporting me. I’ll give you a big hug and we can all love each other.”
4h ago 14.04 EDT Now here comes Alcaraz, he holds the famous trophy and gently raises it to the crowd. He is Wimbledon champions and whatever else happens before he dies, no one will ever be able to take that away from him. Mazal tov, old mate.
4h ago 14.02 EDT Oh man, what a work of art that was. Nothing but sport can give us that. Gerry Armstrong, ending four years as referee, receives the applause of the crowd and a medal from Kate, likewise the umpire. Now here comes Djokovic, steeling himself for magnanimity. He raises his plate – he’s won seven of these, and though you only do that if you despise defeat, he’ll cope.
4h ago 14.00 EDT The net, battered post and all, is taken down, now here comes the presentation.
4h ago 13.59 EDT Alcaraz is in his box, his team going wild, leaping and dancing, and this is what it’s all about. Imagine experiencing this joy, this love, the fulfilment of a dream in real time, for us all to watch. Sport is undefeated, the greatest gift humanity has given itself, and Alcaraz sits on his chair then unwraps his sweatbands like he’s just finished practise, which reminds me of something Roy Keane once said of Raúl that when he won there were no histrionics because winning was what he’d worked for and what his talent deserved.
4h ago 13.56 EDT Carlos Alcaraz [1] beats Novak Djokovic [2] 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4! He is the Wimbledon champion! *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 5-4 Djokovic The crowd go wild as Alcaraz returns to play the game of his life; every mile driven, every bead of sweat, every tear shed, was to bring him to this moment; can he cope? Well, he’s soon 0-15 down … but then yanks Djokovic in with a drop before finding a luscious lob for 15-all like it’s nothing. IT IS NOT NOTHING. Another drop follows, on the volley and on the stretch – these men are not human, they are awesome, half-man, half-amazing, and we wind up at 30-all. P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E. A booming serve follows, Djokovic unable to control a return on the stretch that soars long, then a colossal forehand forrces Djokovic to net, AND CARLOS ALCARAZ IS THE CHAMPION! WHAT A SENSATIONAL EFFORT FROM BOTH MEN! Alcaraz falls to the turf, he embraces Djokovic, he leaps, he kicks, and he races to share the moment with his team. What a moment, for everyone – not just Alcaraz but all the people who’ve sacrificed to make this happen! Amazing, amazing, amazing! Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Updated at 14.26 EDT
4h ago 13.50 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 5-4 Djokovic* Alcaraz lands a return marginally long for 30-0, a service winner makes 40-0 … and though a forehand then drifts wide, the challenger clubs one of his own over the sideline meaning, in 90 seconds time, Carlitos Alcaraz will serve to become Wimbledon champion. Good luck and godspeed, old mate.
4h ago 13.48 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 5-3 Djokovic Tennis’ T-1000 makes a ludicrous backhand get for 0-15 but balloons a backhand return when the new ball rears higher than expected then goes long, and this is slipping away. Then at 30-15, yet another glorious drop, like he’s playing with a kid in the garden, not just delicate but directed, wide away from Djokovic, raises game point … and an ace seals the deal. That is expletive rrrridiculous behaviour, holding to 15 from 0-15; one hold away. Djokovic will now serve to stay in the championships!
4h ago 13.43 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 4-3 Djokovic* OH MY ABSOLUTE COMPLETE AN UTTER DAYS! Serving at 30-15, Djokovic sends Alcaraz to the forehand corner, comes in … and is passed by a forehand cross-court so violent it leaves singe marks in the air and children crying. So Djokovic serves out wide, cleaning up with a backhand to the opposite corner, and another backhand seals a hold of disquieting composure. I feel ill.
4h ago 13.40 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 4-2 Djokovic A fantastic approach from Djokovic, punkt onto the line, is good for 0-15, so a second serve at a mere 121mph is backed up with a dangerous forehand that brings parity. Djokovic, though, lands another decent return and Alcaraz goes long, but then handed a second serve, he does likewise, raising arms in anguish; 30-all. Ach, and offered another chance, the breeze holds the ball such that when he attacks it it drifts long, and Alcaraz secures the game with an ace. Two holds from glory, and he’s shown not the slightest flicker of nerves here. The winning line, though, is now in sight, a spectre that does funny things.
Updated at 13.40 EDT
4h ago 13.34 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 3-2 Djokovic* Up 40-0, Djokovic nets a backhand, but a backhand into the corner suffused with the disgust of those missed balls in his previous service game, means he holds easily. Over to you, Carlitos.
4h ago 13.32 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 3-1 Djokovic Carlitos is flying, and we’re on his back! This is wonderful to see, a love hold sealed with an ace – an out of body experience for him never mind us. Three holds away.
4h ago 13.30 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 2-1 Djokovic* A murderous forehand forces Djokovic to chase out wide, but the job he makes of retrieving it means Alcaraz’s follow-up backhand needs to be good … and of course it’s even better than good. Djokovic, though soon makes 15-all, only for Alcaraz to find a wrongfooting backhand, backed up with a leaping overhead on the run … four and a quarter hours into the match. So Djokovic makes 30-all … then nets a forehand, and now it’s the challenger with a chance to break! Can the champ find a first serve? What do you think? Of course he can! But, on top in the rally, he can’t quite put the point away … Alcaraz won’t permit him to put the point away … he then slips, gets up, and when he drops short with a forehand, Alcaraz punishes a backhand winner down the line for the blow that might just win him the championships! He again cups an ear at the crowd, Djokovic clumps racket into net post, shattering one and denting t’other and is warned … but when all’s said and done it’s the challenger with the break! He’s four holds away from the title! Djokovic's smashed racket. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Updated at 13.36 EDT
5h ago 13.24 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 1-1 Djokovic Djokovic makes 0-15 but yet another fit as you like drop brings Alcaraz parity. We wind up at 30-all, whereupon a deep return followed by a booming forehand into the corner raise break point. I said earlier Djokovic was Raputing, but now I’m getting Max Cady, De Niro’s character in Cape Fear, and yet another sapping, fluctuating rally, each player tipping it in their favour by upping the pace, ends when the champ takes a forehand out of the air having done all the hard work, only to net! Alcaraz salutes the crowd, in relief as much as in pride, then lays a drop that’s so good it’s actually funny to make advantage. He must have the resting heart-rate of a sloth, and two vicious, violent forehands secure the game after another fantastic Djokovic return looks to have snatched control of the point. We are privileged to be living in their time.
5h ago 13.16 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 0-1 Djokovic* Chale, here we go! It’s rare a match lives up to the hype, but it’s also rare a match seemed so certain to live up to the hype. There’s a skill aspect, of course, and these two are overflowing with that, but what makes them them and this this is the competitive charisma of these two. Their presence on the court, their certainty in what they’re doing, the ability to channel everything they’ve ever thought and experienced into the racket they hold is what sets them apart, and as I type that, Alcaraz puts a way a touch volley for 30-all, then lovingly caresses a backhand winner down the line as Djokovic comes in! Break point! And just look at that! A second serve down the T is too good even at 76mph, but up advantage and with game point almost in the back pocket, Alcaraz finds delicious swazz on a forehand down the line, ball barely off the carpet. He’s an absolute magician, but Djokovic again gets to within a point of the game and when a slice drops long, he’s into the lead. He;s the better player again, and at change of ends we see that he’s stepped forward a yard or so so is now hitting from inside the baseline. That’s one reason he’s dictating the rallies again; can Alcaraz adjust?
5h ago 13.07 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 Djokovic Djokovic races in to flip a backhand winner down the line and a double means he’s two points away from the set. It’s absolutely mind-boggling what’s going on here – Djokovic looked finished except he’s never finished, the Rasputin of tennis, and an error from Alcaraz means he has three set points. The first is saved but the second yields a double, and after three hours and 54 minutes, we and they have to suffer through the decider we and they deserve. I am in absolute awe of these two meshuggners, I cannot wait to see what happens next and I’ve not the slightest clue as to what’s coming next. These are the days of our lives, people.
5h ago 13.02 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-5 Djokovic* The wind, we’re told, has dropped, and it was Djokovic who was affected by it the more. At 15-0, he plays a really good point, again the more aggressive man, and it does look like the match is coming down to that: who can get off first. It’s a love hold, and we’ve had yet another momentum shift; Alcaraz will now serve to stay in the fourth.
5h ago 12.59 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-4 Djokovic Eeeeesh! Djokovic despatches an overhead for 15-all and Alcaraz slips into the jazz splits like MC Hammer … but he’s fine, a service winner restoring his sense of (relative) wellbeing. From there, he closes out, cementing the game with an ace, and how on earth might we tackle a decider?
5h ago 12.56 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 2-4 Djokovic* What Djokovic wouldn’t give for a straightforward hold here, but at 15-0 Alcaraz again does that thing, shockingly increasing the venom on the forehand side for a cross-court winner that his opponent applauding. The intensity of this is almost tear-inducing, two absolute legends emptying their souls for our delectation, for the glorification of humankind, and Djokovic secures a crucial consolidation to 30! Will someone please hold me? Novak Djokovic reaches for a forehand. Photograph: The Guardian
Updated at 13.33 EDT
5h ago 12.51 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 2-3 Djokovic Is Djokovic returning? A big forehand sets up a delicate volley, and he’s hitting harder and flatter now, looking to regain the initiative. A poor backhand into the net means he’s down 30-15, but an alcarazian error makes 30-all, then a forehand flies wide and Djokovic has break point! It’d be the height of him to seize it, but he goes long on the backhand – just, but unnecessarily – then a tremendous return forces a netted riposte and here comes another opportunity. And Alcaraz lands his first serve but Djokovic plans a return close to the line, the challenger goes long, challenges … and the outermost fibre of the ball catches the outermost fibre of chalk! They replay the point, Alcaraz comes in behind his serve, winds up … and caresses a gorgeous drop … then nets again! The deuces in this match have been as good as in any match I can remember, and this is expletive wonderful stuff, Alcaraz again snatching momentum in the rally by suddenly upping pace, but this time Djokovic directs a fantastic backhand at his tootsies and he nets at net! The champ has his break! He blows a kiss at the crowd, Alcaraz clobbers his chair, and we’ve yet another improbable twist!
5h ago 12.43 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 2-2 Djokovic* At 30-0 I find myself shouting in a room on my bill, Djokovic apparently doing enough only for Alcaraz to stomp a huge stride and send his overhead screeching back across him and cross-court, racket almost vertical and shoulder-high! From there, it’s soon 30-all, an ace out wide challenged and revealed to be fractionally wide. Djokovic, though, conjures an angle to whizz a terrific backhand winner to the corner … only to find something similar defeating his stretch, a slice bringing him in to set up the forehand winner from Alcaraz. No matter, Djokovic then does the necessary, running around his backhand to send a forehand into the corner which seals a crucial and probably title-saving hold. “What do you make of the pre-serve shenanigans of the two players?” asks Gavin Scott. “Djokovic with up to 13 bounces from hand before a serve and Alcaraz collecting four balls then rejecting two, one to each ball boy? No wonder the match is taking so long.” Real talk, I’m rough and crook, so I’m desperate for this match to be over, except I’m also celebrating anything that makes it last longer because I spend my life seeking out contests like this, and on the odd occasion I’m lucky enough to live one, I’ll take anything that ups the drama and suspense.
5h ago 12.34 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 2-1 Djokovic What’s so brilliant about this – OK, lots of things are so brilliant about this – but one thing that’s so brilliant about this is Alcaraz doing to Djokovic what Djokovic did to him in Paris, turning his strengths against him to the point of exhaustion. Alcaraz is playing with such conviction now, coming in to punch a backhand volley then clobbering an ace for 40-15. And even when great work from Djokovic makes 40-30, he’s made to play two more balls than he might’ve done after which a backhand down the line goes into the top of the net – that was a chance – but he does work his way to deuce then, up advantage, Alcaraz doubles. Will he be punished? Er, maybe! Up advantage again, a forehand down the line hits the net cord and makes deuce, but then with the next rally pootling along, Alcaraz suddenly unloads the suitcase at a forehand, puts away the eventuating volley, closes out, and Djokovic looks anguished!
Updated at 12.34 EDT
6h ago 12.27 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 1-1 Djokovic* Alcaraz stays in the point, Djokovic-style, the error duly follows, and a ball onto the line makes 0-30. I daresay Djokovic now regrets that double-break game, and when Alcaraz annihilates a forehand winner he’s left flat on his face like a lizard drinking. Two break points, and if one is taken, it’ll be impossible to see a way back even for this obscene specimen of physiological perfection … but a backhand winner down the line saves the first and a long forehand the second. Deuce, and I’m wincing at the prospect so can’t begin to contemplate the evilness of the flashbacks Djokovic is experiencing, but a tremendous stretch-volley makes advantage and a big serve secures a hold of Ade Akinfenwa proportions. “I’ve been going to Wimbledon for over 60 years, I’m from Wimbledon, and I worked at the Championships during student days,” says Rob Lewis, “and I don’t remember such a long game - 32 points! Is that a record? I felt for your fingers, typing about it. Never mind the players, how could they withstand that pressure for so long?”
6h ago 12.21 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 1-0 Djokovic From 0-30, Alcaraz makes 30-all, then Djokovic nets and almost looks resigned. A service winner follows, Alcaraz dances to his chair, and he’s playing like a boy – like a boy-man – who knows. Djokovic has never been beaten at Wimbledon from a set up, a ludicrous state of affairs, but he looks all but beaten this afternoon.
6h ago 12.17 EDT Djokovic is back from what Tim termed “the bathroom break of his life” – what an accolade that is! To the regiment I wish I was there! – and we go again.
6h ago 12.15 EDT “What a damp squib end to that third set from Djok - he just ‘Kyrgyossed’ the final game!” reckons James W. “And Carlitos, serving first in the fourth set, surely has to fancy himself now. Unless Djok Andy-Murrays himself from being down 2-1 in sets via a bathroom mirror, comin’ right up! Needs a change of tactics I feel - Alcaraz is winning all the long rallies the last hour or so. Djok needs to keep points short. Get his first serve sorted.” He needs to find a way of leading, whether by keeping Alcaraz moving or going for lines, because at the moment, it’s the kid controlling the pace of the rallies by going big sooner.
6h ago 12.11 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 Djokovic* A forehand winner down the line makes 0-30, Djokovic nets a forehand volley, and now faces three set points; does he let this one go? I imagine he’ll want Alcaraz to serve out and go first in the fourth, but at 40-15 a backhand pass catches him coming in, AND CARLOS ALCARAZ IS A SET AWAY FROM BECOMING WIMBLEDON CHAMPION! More than that, though, he’s dominating – dominating in a way we rarely see Djokovic dominated – and shonuff, off he goes for a lag and a reset. Mates, what we’re seeing here is spectacular; make sure to savour every last second of it.
6h ago 12.08 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 5-1 Djokovic The last thing Djokovic needs is a swift hold but Alcaraz races to 30-0, a netted forehand makes 40, and the hold is secured to 15! I daresay Djokovic will take a break of some sort at the end of this set; two sets down against Sinner last term, he went for a slash and had a chat with himself in the mirror, but this an entirely different affair. Carlos Alcaraz races to a shot. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Updated at 13.23 EDT
6h ago 12.05 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 4-1 Djokovic* Djokovic makes 30-15, then 40-15 with a nice backhand volley. He needs to find a way of dictating the points because at the moment he’s reacting, forced to dig out a hopeful pass that’s easily put away at the net behind a booming backhand. Then, at 40-30, a backhand slices drifts wide, but a much more proactive forehand yields advantage, but one into the net brings us back to deuce. Djokovic isn’t unloading on his groundstrokes now, and that tentative approach is allowing his opponent to dictate … though, as a I type that, a backhand down the line raises another game point, this one given up with a slice into the net. In his box, Goran looks concerned, and how is this only the third set? Somehow, it feels like we’ve been playing three minutes but also three days, and an error from Djokovic means he’s facing a point for a double break … saved when Alcaraz frames a forehand. This time, he’s much more aggressive, a forehand onto the sideline doing the business … but a similar shot is then sent wide, and Alcaraz will know that this is his chance because these are not errors we see often, certainly not in such quantities. So, perhaps to get himself going, Djokovic picks a ruckus with the umpire, I think about the balls not being returned to him quickly enough given his struggles with the shot-clock – how dare time not bend to his will – and a double means he’s facing another break point, saved when Alcaraz botches a forehand that has him chuntering at his box. This is now a stone-cold, bona fide epic, Djokovic netting a backhand to bring about a seventh deuce, and even if he moves through it, he’s still behind, a sobering thought. But again, Alcaraz is on top in the next rally, a monstrous forehand the key shot, but a backhand down the line is well wide so brings us back to deuce. I’m exhausted just watching these two absolute, complete and utter freaks of nature; to see sport played so well and so hard is among the most moving things on our planet, and when a ball flies into the crowd, the bloke who picks it up is publicly admonished for deciding it’s now his. All he wanted to do was save it further punishment, but he’s ordered to send it back, then Djokovic surrenders and saves yet another double-break point only to immediately yield another, and the pace is telling! A huge serve regains deuce and if he loses this game, I wonder if he lets the set leave so he’s got something left for the fourth; opposite, Alcaraz grins, just getting started, and once more break point to the good; he’s hitting the net a lot here, not getting to or hitting with the same pop as previously, and we’re now at our 12th deuce; I am in total awe of these total nutters, their monomania equal parts inspirational and terrifying, and just as it looks like Djokovic, now up advantage, has sealed the game with a succession of forehands, Alcaraz unleashes a backhand like a hadouken then raises his seventh breaking opportunity in this Ben Hur of games, and THIS TIME, AFTER 32 POINTS, DJOKOVIC NETS! He roars to the heavens, relief and elation expanding his mind, and he’s two games away from a 2-1 lead! The old man is tottering, and this is some of the most gloriously wild existing we can possibly imagine! “I don’t like Djokovic, for a good many reasons,” begins Matt Dony, “but he is obviously a phenomenal player. And also one of the most mentally indestructible athletes I’ve ever seen. He fairly often drops a set, or looks like he might have a wobble, but somehow you still almost always expect him to win. It’s like he has some superhuman ability to put a poor shot/game/set behind him and go again. All elite sportspeople have got, by definition, a lot of self-belief. But Djokovic is on another level.” Yup, but he’s being tested here because as in Paris, it’s Alacaraz getting off first now, and there’s no cramp – admittedly caused by him – coming to the rescue.
6h ago 11.36 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 3-1 Djokovic In comms, Todd Woodbridge notes that Alcaraz is varying his speed of shot to good effect, and even more than that, it’s now him setting the agenda of the points – it feels a long time since Djokovic hit a winner from the back. But two errors leave him facing 15-30, and a test … then another error and two break-back points follow. The first is saved when a ball holds up in the wind and Djokovic nets, then one shoots through and he frames it! Deuce! Carlitos, these are the days of your life can you seize them? A drop makes advantage then a return loops long, and in Alcaraz’s box, his little brother is on his feet! Imagine that, watching your big bro play the Wimbledon singles final; how do you even handle that? Well, I’m pleased to report he’s doing a fine job. Novak Djokovic reacts after missing a shot against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Updated at 13.28 EDT
6h ago 11.28 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 2-1 Djokovic* Alcaraz is enjoying himself now, making 15-all with a flip down the line and slam-dunk smash, Djokovic then netting to give him another sniff. Quickly extinguished, at least in the first instance, a glorious net exchange settled by a stretching volley that cuts off a forehand cross-court. From there, Djokovic closes out, and he’s still in touch in the third. This is like that bit on a roller coaster when you’re chugging and clicking uphill… Carlos Alcaraz in action. Photograph: Isabel Infantes/EPA
Updated at 11.35 EDT
7h ago 11.24 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 2-0 Djokovic Whatever happens from here, Alcaraz has made a statement today: he’s ready. But is he ready enough? Gosh, at 30-15 a poor shot sits up to be punished but Djokovic, having to supply all his own pace, goes at it too hard, and shortly afterwards the consolidation is sealed via netted return. “Alcaraz has started serving a lot better,” reckons Coach Calv. “I didn’t think Djokovic was that amazing in the first, he was solid and Alcaraz served badly. He’s doing better now and Novak is gonna have to get more aggressive cos Alcaraz is getting on top of him.”
7h ago 11.20 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) 1-0 Djokovic* Novak Djokovic just lost a tiebreak! Whatever next? Well, an ace for 30-15, then a ball that dies on him for 30-all, hitting a bit of grass rubbed away by footfall … then two monstrous forehands raise break point! Alcaraz is in the ascendancy now, can he capitalise? Er, not immediately, a tame backhand handing over deuce, but a sliced backhand then sets up a big forehand, and when Djokovic comes in, he’s passed cross-court! Advantage Alcaraz … and after Djokovic has a let called – there’s displeasure – a backhand into the net gives him the break! For the first time in the match, it’s the challenger in charge!
7h ago 11.11 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 7-6(6) Djokovic AND THERE IT IS! A first serve –another first serve – out wide, but this time Alcaraz follows it and, as Djokovic comes in behind it, he spirits a colossal, match-shaping, life-changing backhand winner down the line! Do we got oursleves a ball-game? We got ourselves a ball-game, and now it’s Alcaraz cupping ear to the crowd! What a match we have on our hands now! Don’t you dare go away! Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Updated at 13.28 EDT
7h ago 11.09 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 6-6 (7-6) Djokovic At 5-5, we know this breaker will come down to a moment, and when Djokovic wins a net-point at the end of a 17-stroker rally, the crowd chant his name as he prepares to play set point. Maybe it’s reverse-psychology. And shonuff he nets for 6-6 the nets a backhand, and now it’s his turn to serve at set-point down! Even the infallible fail sometimes!
7h ago 11.06 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 6-6 (5-5) Djokovic Now then! Djokovic, a long way back, nets a disguised slice and it’s ridiculous how surprising it is to see him pick the wrong option under intense pressure. A big serve, bigger forehand and delicate drop follow – those are hands – but Alcaraz sticks with it, flipping a wrongfooting forehand into the corner to keep us level. Next, a long rally, the kind Djokovic almost always wins, but this time, a fantastic drop disguised as a mass-murderous forehand keeps us on serve. And this time, Djokovic runs out of time to serve, so he’s warned … then finds a fine backhand when in trouble in the rally, but at the net, Alcaraz can only net his volley. This is intense!
7h ago 11.01 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 6-6 (2-3) Djokovic Immediately, Alcaraz goes long, ceding the mini-break, and two first serves follow; of course they do, and it’s 3-0 Djokovic. A return then drops long, though, bringing the challenger into the breaker, and an ace sliced out wide keeps the deficit to one.
7h ago 10.58 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 6-6 Djokovic* A break here would make a very strong point and a double at 15-0 invites Alcaraz into the game, but a lazy long return means Djokovic is two points away from a breaker. And he dominates the next rally too, but when he plays two identical forehands to the backhand corner, Alcaraz mixes up his response, a slice inciting the error, and now he’s two points away from the set. From there, of course, Djokovic closes out in short order, and he’s won 15 breakers straight – six in Paris without a single unforced error and six more here. Good luck, Carlitos old mate.
Updated at 11.01 EDT
7h ago 10.52 EDT *Alcaraz 1-6 6-5 Djokovic Yup, an unforced error hands Djokovic 0-15 and Alcaraz needs to focus here … and does, a monstrous backhand down the line setting up the point even though Djokovic gets it back; he can’t, though, make his next forehand. It’s unbelievable how hard Alcaraz is having to work for everything, likewise his capacity for that work and the alacrity with which he’s embracing it, a brutal serve down the T securing the game and forcing Djokovic to serve for a second-set breaker.
7h ago 10.50 EDT Alcaraz 1-6 5-5 Djokovic* Usually, new balls favour the server, but I wonder if Alcaraz will attack here – if he can. Well he doesn’t have to to begin with, the extra zip taking a Djokovic forehand wide, but when a tremendous get to a fine attempted pass sits up for a backhand winner, he snatches at it, sending it cross-court but wide, before netting another opportunity down the line; 30-15. He makes 30-all though, then Djokovic butchers a forehand that’s called out; he challenges and we see that it dropped onto the final fibre of the line or, put another way, he catches that clean and he’s set point down. So we wind up at deuce, and I wonder if the match is here: Alcaraz has been handed three unforced errors, and if he can’t parlay them into anything tangible, you’d fear for him. And, well, oh Carlitos! He plays a slice when he shouldn’t, perhaps spooked by the lad on the other side of the net, hits that net, and then when Alcaraz plays a luscious drop, Djokovic runs it down, just, somehow gets it back via net-cord, and when he finishes the point with another drop, flicked over and across, for the first time he looks despondent. I’m not surprised, and I’m afraid I’m anticipating a break in the next game. “People criticising Djokovic’s behaviour and praising Rafa’s?” asks Oliver Loksa. “Remember the absurd amount of time Nadal used to take before important serves? Each player has her’his way to settler her/himself and destabilise the opponent. C’mon...” I agree – and, what’s more, I enjoy it.