Novak Djokovic is aiming to win his third major title in 2023 and the 24th in his illustrious career. Standing in the way of the All England Club is No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who is aiming for his first Wimbledon victory and his second major win.
After Djokovic won the first set with ease 6-1, the second set dictated the thrilling back and forth to expect from the new rivalry. Djokovic was initially trailed 2-0 but then fought back and the set remained on serve until the tiebreak. Alcaraz saved one of Djokovic’s set points before eventually winning the tiebreaker 9-7 to level the scores one set at a time. It also ended Djokovic’s staggering Grand Slam streak of 15 straight tiebreakers.
Alcaraz continued his momentum by breaking Djokovic in the first game of the third set. He beat him again, going 4-1 in what was instantly hailed as one of the most thrilling matches in Wimbledon history. Numbers don’t lie. 33 points, 13 deuces and almost 27 minutes. Alcaraz stole eight game points from Djokovic and won seven break points himself. He then played the rest of the set quickly to win 6-1 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Djokovic didn’t sit still. After a long break between the third and fourth sets, he returned focused again and broke Alcaraz in the fifth game. Djokovic scored well from there to take the match to a decisive fifth set.
Alcaraz appeared to be struggling to recover. Saving a break point in the second game of the fifth set seemed to put him back on his feet. He broke Djokovic in the next match as well.
10:48 a.m. ET — Djokovic held serve with a thrilling save in the net to tie the second set at 5-all.
10:25 a.m. ET — Djokovic kept serve to keep the second set at 3 all-even.
10:04 a.m. ET — Djokovic wasted no time in returning the favor, breaking Alcaraz in the third game of the second set.
9:58 a.m. ET — Despite dropping the first set, Alcaraz got off to a quick start in the second set, winning the first game and looking more composed in his first final on Center Court. Alcaraz beat Djokovic 2-0. It was the fourth time Djokovic has lost a service game in the tournament.
9:45 a.m. ET — Alcaraz managed to pick up the game before a dominant Djokovic scored the final blow of the first set to win 6-1. According to ESPN, Djokovic is 79-1 at Wimbledon after winning the first set.
9:38 a.m. ET — Djokovic got off to a good start against Alcaraz, leading 5-0 in the first set. The Serb faced a break point in the fourth game, but eventually overpowered the young Spanish player and saved the serve.
