Xtra Time Web Desk: In a stunning upset, Carlos Alcaraz claimed his first Wimbledon men’s singles title by defeating the near-invincible Novak Djokovic in the final. The 20-year-old Spaniard emerged victorious with a hard-fought 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Djokovic on Centre Court, in a match that lasted four hours and 43 minutes. Alcaraz’s win brought an end to Djokovic’s remarkable 34-match winning streak at Wimbledon and solidified his position as the world’s top-ranked player.
Djokovic began the match aggressively, reminiscent of their meeting in the French Open semi-final, swiftly securing the first set 6-1 in just 34 minutes. The experience gap between the two players on grass court seemed evident, with Alcaraz, appearing in only his 13th Wimbledon match, struggling to contain his frustration against the nine-time Wimbledon finalist.
However, Alcaraz demonstrated resilience and broke Djokovic’s serve early in the second set, displaying greater confidence and freedom in his play. The set eventually went to a tiebreaker, where Djokovic had previously been victorious in 15 consecutive Grand Slam tiebreakers. Nevertheless, Alcaraz saved a set point and clinched the tiebreaker 8-6, unleashing a triumphant roar.
As the match progressed, Alcaraz continued to apply relentless pressure on Djokovic, who became visibly frustrated with the shot-clock management for serves. Despite Djokovic’s waning concentration, Alcaraz remained focused on the task at hand, pushing his opponent to the limits. The third set witnessed an epic 26-minute game with 13 deuces, ultimately resulting in Alcaraz breaking Djokovic and securing a commanding 6-1 set victory.
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However, Djokovic showed his champion’s mettle and fought back in the fourth set, earning two crucial breaks of serve to force a deciding fifth set. Alcaraz, undeterred, gained an early break of serve and capitalized on Djokovic’s mounting errors. Djokovic’s frustration escalated to the point where he smashed his racket against the net. A forced forehand error from the Serb sealed the match, and Alcaraz emerged as the deserving victor.
This momentous win for Carlos Alcaraz signifies his rapid ascent in the tennis world and establishes him as a formidable force among the sport’s elite. Meanwhile, Djokovic’s extraordinary reign on Centre Court at Wimbledon finally came to an end after a remarkable decade-long run.