Novak Djokovic dominates Alcaraz to set up ATP Finals grudge match with Sinner
Novak Djokovic ran through Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday to book his spot in a ninth final at the ATP Finals. The world No 1 needed just 88 minutes to defeat his big rival 6-3 6-2 – the first time one of their matches has finished in straight sets. Djokovic now gets a shot at revenge against Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final after the 22-year-old beat him in the round-robin stage earlier in the week.
It was the fifth meeting between Djokovic and Alcaraz, and their first match since the Serb won a brutal three-hour and 48-minute final at the Cincinnati Open back in August, saving a championship point and taking it in a final set tiebreak. But the six-time ATP Finals champion made sure that it wouldn’t be a repeat of their previous dramatic marathon matches as he dominated while Alcaraz fired down too many erratic mistakes.
Alcaraz started strong when he immediately had two chances to break in the opening game of the match. But Djokovic managed to fend him off and get on the board. Nothing could separate them in the first six games as the Spaniard dominated on serve, making his first 14 first serves.
But things started to unravel as the second seed started to over-hit some of his shots while Djokovic continued to draw out mistakes from his backhand. Alcaraz’s serve was broken for the first time since Monday and the 36-year-old managed to close out the first set. He continued to dominate in the second as Alcaraz struggled to get through his service games, and Djokovic quickly earned another break.
Alcaraz finally found something extra while he was 2-3 down and started to be patient in the long rallies, waiting until the perfect moment to rip a winner down the court. He had two chances to break back but Djokovic saved them and delivered one final blow, breaking again to close out a 6-3 6-2 victory. The world No 1 now faces Sinner in front of the Italian’s home crowd for the second time this week and he will try to reverse his fortune after losing 7-5 6-7(5) 7-6(2) on Tuesday.
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Relive the match with Express Sport’s score updates below…
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Thanks for following Express Sport’s live score updates of Novak Djokovic’s semi-final win over Carlos Alcaraz.
It ended up as the most one-sided match in their rivalry, with the world No 1 coming through 6-3 6-2 in 88 minutes. He now takes on Jannik Sinner – the man who beat him in the round-robin stage to end his 19-match winning streak.
Express Sport will keep you up to date with everything happening on finals day at the ATP Finals as Djokovic bids to get revenge over Sinner.
Djokovic expecting more crowd antics against Sinner
Novak Djokovic will get a shot at revenge when he takes on Jannik Sinner in the final. He lost to the world No 4 in Tuesday’s round-robin match and was booed by the Italian crowd at times as they tried to push on their man.
And Djokovic is expecting nothing less when he faces Sinner in what will be the 22-year-old’s biggest final yet.
“He’s been playing fantastic tennis, arguably his best tennis of his life,” the world No 1 said of his rival.
“We played 7-6 in the third, a very close match other night. Atmosphere was unbelievable. I mean, electric, obviously, I don’t expect anything less than that. Probably even more louder than what we had in the group stage match.”
Djokovic played “best match of the tournament” to beat Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic was delighted with his performance after dispatching Carlos Alcaraz in 88 minutes. All three of the top seed’s round-robin match went to a third and final set during the week.
But he managed to change his fate in the all-important semi-final in an attempt to keep himself fresh for the championship match.
“Best match of the tournament for me without a doubt,” he said afterwards. “I came at the right time really. After spending a lot of hours on the court in the first three matches, I didn’t know I’m going to feel tonight.”
Djokovic’s children watch on as he seals victory
Novak Djokovic’s two children Stefan and Tara were in his box to witness his dominant performance against Carlos Alcaraz.
The world No 1 revealed that they had arrived earlier in the week, following his final round-robin match. “They’re priority for me now. I’ll do some recovery, spend time with them, probably go for dinner,” he said after beating Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday.
They got to watch him advance to a ninth ATP Finals final on Saturday night and will no doubt be in the stands for Sunday’s final.
GAME, SET AND MATCH NOVAK DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-2
Novak Djokovic closes out his third victory over Carlos Alcaraz in their fifth meeting 6-3 6-2.
It was a masterclass from the world No 1, who knew he could exploit the Alcaraz backhand to draw out plenty of mistakes.
It’s the first time that a match between Djokovic and Alcaraz has finished in straight sets.
And it gives Djokovic a place in the final of the ATP Finals, where he will fight for a record-extending seventh crown.
He will take on Jannik Sinner, who beat him in the round-robin stage earlier in the week. It serves as the perfect shot at revenge for the world No 1.
DJOKOVIC BREAKS AGAIN! HE WILL SERVE FOR THE MATCH
There were some promising signs for Alcaraz in that last game even though he couldn’t take either of the break point chances he had.
But he suddenly finds himself in trouble again at 0-30 as the errors creep back in. Djokovic runs across the court to chase down a drop shot and responds with his own. He’s rewarded with two break points when Alcaraz sends the ball flying.
The 20-year-old receives a time violation but he manages to save both break points. Alcaraz laughs and shakes his head as he puts the ball in the net again, giving Djokovic another chance to break.
And the Serb does just that. He will serve for the match and for a place in tomorrow’s final.
*Alcaraz 3 – 6 2 – 4 Djokovic
Djokovic starts the game with a huge serve as he continues to edge closer to ninth final at the ATP Finals.
But Alcaraz knows that he needs to raise his level if he wants to have a chance of stopping the world No 1. He wins one of their lengthier exchanges with Darren Cahill – the coach of Jannik Sinner – watching on.
The Spaniard has started to extend the points now, waiting until the right moment to strike. And it pays off as he fires down a winner to end a 24-shot rally and take a 15-30 lead, raising his arm in celebration as the fans cheer him on.
The world No 2 has well and truly kicked into life now as he stayed patient in another long exchange before striking with a winner at the net and pumping both fists while roaring “vamos” while Djokovic is left waving his arms in exasperation.
It’s two break points Alcaraz – his first chances since the very first game of the match. Djokovic saves the first with a huge serve. It’s Djokovic’s turn to finish a 23-shot rally with a winner.
He points to the crowd in celebration and touches his ear to spur them on after finding another perfect angle on the forehand. Alcaraz can only smile as Djokovic rips another winner and the world No 1 manages to hold onto his lead. But the Spaniard has raised it now.
Alcaraz 3 – 6 2 – 3 Djokovic*
Djokovic is proving to be unstoppable tonight, disappointing anyone who was expecting him to face another lengthy battle with Alcaraz.
The 20-year-old hits his 18th unforced error of the night to start the game. And Djokovic finds the perfect angle on his forehand, firing down a winner to get to 30-30.
Alcaraz takes the ball out of the air for an overhead smash to get to game point. But all of his service games are becoming a challenge now. He runs to the net but it’s another failed serve and volley attempt as the ball goes straight into the net.
Alcaraz is all over the place now, with Djokovic’s relentlessness clearly getting to him. He hits his first double fault to give the Serb a break point but manages to hang in with a winner and it’s deuce again.
It’s a huge hold for Alcaraz. But he’s still trailing and needs to find something extra.
*Alcaraz 3 – 6 1 – 3 Djokovic
Djokovic steps up to serve with the security of a set and break lead. The world No 1 has been in total control during the rallies, with Alcaraz’s serve being the main thing keeping him in it.
But it’s the top seed’s turn to make a mistake, sending a backhand into the net. With Djokovic running around at the net, Alcaraz tries to get the ball past him but can’t get it over the net either and the Serb leads 30-15.
Djokovic consolidates the break and puts himself within three games of the final.
DJOKOVIC BREAKS IN THE SECOND SET
From 15-0 up, Alcaraz loses the next two points as the mistakes start to creep back in.
Djokovic draws out an error from the 20-year-old and fires back a tricky return on the third point of the game that Alcaraz can’t do anything with.
Alcaraz responds with another ace – his seventh of the match – but he sends the ball into the net and it’s break point Djokovic.
The world No 2 relies on his serve to get him out of trouble once again, hitting another ace. One of Alcaraz’s shots is called long and the Spaniard challenges it as Djokovic stares at the mark and seems to know that his opponent is correct.
Alcaraz wins the challenge to replay the deuce point and makes his third ace of the game. But he still can’t get out alive as Djokovic forces another error from his backhand.
The second seed still can’t close it out with another game point, attempting the serve and volley but sending the ball straight into the net.
And he berates himself for yet another mistake after giving Djokovic his second break point of the game. The Serb hits a huge return and Alcaraz sends the ball flying into the air, handing Djokovic the break after a more than six-minute game.
*Alcaraz 3 – 6 1 – 1 Djokovic
Djokovic wins a point at the net to lead 30-0 and tries to do the same again but he sends the ball into the net this time.
The top seed still takes a 40-15 lead and closes out the game with an Alcaraz error that the Spaniard unsuccessfully challenges.
Alcaraz 3 – 6 1 – 0 Djokovic*
Alcaraz has cleaned it up here and he’s being patient, drawing out mistakes from his opponent and firing winners instead of over-hitting and making mistakes.
He responds perfectly after dropping the first set, holding to love to start the second.
FIRST SET DJOKOVIC 6-3
It’s first strike Djokovic in this semi-final. The top seed is halfway to a rematch with Sinner.
Alcaraz’s level has started to drop. He’s going for his shots but has started to make too many costly errors and can be seen talking to his team.
Djokovic’s nine-year-old son Stefan cheers him on after a winner gives him a 30-0 lead. The 36-year-old has really raised his level here while Alcaraz has slipped and he serves out the first set to love after 40 minutes.
One set away from the final…
DJOKOVIC BREAKS
Alcaraz starts the game with his fifth ace but Djokovic has an opening at 15-30 after two errors.
Another mistake from the Spaniard’s racket give the world No 1 his first break point chances of the match as he takes a 15-40 lead.
Djokovic squanders the first, sending the ball into the net. But another mistake from Alcaraz gives his opponent the first break of the match.
The world No 1 will serve for the first set at 5-3.
It’s the first time Alcaraz has had his serve broken since losing his opening round-robin match to Zverev on Monday.
*Alcaraz 3 – 4 Djokovic
Alcaraz looks frustrated as two mistakes gives Djokovic a 30-0 lead.
The world No 1 takes the ball out of the air for a winner but it’s his turn to falter, sending the ball into the net.
It’s still an easy hold for the six-time former champion. It will be very hard for these two to break each other if the first seven games are anything to go by…
Alcaraz 3 – 3 Djokovic*
At 30-15, Alcaraz misses his first serve for the first time in the match.
But he also hits two more aces during the game and holds to draw level with Djokovic at 3-3. The Spaniard is yet to face a break point.
*Alcaraz 2 – 3 Djokovic
Two mistakes from Djokovic give the Spaniard an opening at 0-30.
But Djokovic is able to rely on his serve, firing one down at 206km/h that Alcaraz can’t get back into play.
The world No 2 tries to finish a point off at the net but sends the ball long to give the top seed a game point.
Another error from the Djokovic racket brings the score to deuce. He pumps his fist as he gets to game point again after drawing a mistake out of his opponent. But the 36-year-old still can’t get out of the game, sending the ball long.
Djokovic has to do some serious defending at the net but he takes the point with an overhead winner and celebrates again, roaring as the crowd break out into chants of “Nole”.
He finally gets the job done and we’re still going with the server in every game of this semi-final so far.
Alcaraz 2 – 2 Djokovic*
It’s early doors but this has so far been a serving masterclass from both men.
Alcaraz sends down back-to-back aces for another routine hold. He is yet to miss a first serve.
*Alcaraz 1 – 2 Djokovic
Djokovic avoids giving away any break points this time and it’s a routine hold to 15, with a passing winner giving Alcaraz his only point.
Alcaraz 1 – 1 Djokovic*
It looks a routine service game from Alcaraz as he takes a 40-0 lead.
But two mistakes from the Spaniard’s racket leave him in some trouble at 40-30.
Alcaraz still manages to hold on and gets on the board in this semi-final.
*Alcaraz 0 – 1 Djokovic
Djokovic steps up to serve to get this second semi-final of the ATP Finals underway.
It’s back-to-back winners from Alcaraz to start as he takes a 0-30 lead.
Djokovic fires down a huge serve to win his first point of the match as Alcaraz can’t get the ball back. But Alcaraz shows that he has come to play, firing another winner straight past the top seed.
It leaves Djokovic immediately facing two break points. But the world No 1 is able to get himself out of trouble and holds to start the match.
Djokovic wins the coin toss
Novak Djokovic won the coin toss and elected to serve.
The world No 1 will begin their fifth meeting.
Here we go…
The players are about to take to the court inside the Pala Alpitour with a spot in Sunday’s final on the line.
Djokovic’s path to the semi-final
Novak Djokovic came second place in the Green Group this week, dropping one match during the round-robin stage to group winner Jannik Sinner.
The defeat brought his 19-match winning streak to an end. And his fate was left in Sinner’s hands on Thursday when Djokovic dropped a set in his third and final round-robin match.
It meant that Sinner had to beat Holger Rune in order for Djokovic to get to the semi-final, otherwise Rune would make it out of the group and eliminate the world No 1. The Italian kept him alive and Djokovic now faces Carlos Alcaraz, the winner of the Red Group.
This is how Djokovic got here…
Round-robin match one:
Beat Holger Rune 7-6(4) 6-7(1) 6-3
Round-robin match two:
Lost to Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-7(5) 7-6(2)
Round-robin match three:
Beat Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(1) 4-6 6-1
Alcaraz’s path to the semi-final
Carlos Alcaraz made his debut at the ATP Finals this week and ended the round-robin stage as the winner of the Red Group, advancing to the semi-final.
It wasn’t smooth sailing as he dropped his opening match before winning his next two to advance out of the group to take on the second-place player of the Green Group, Novak Djokovic.
This is how Alcaraz got here…
Round-robin match one:
Lost to Alexander Zverev 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4
Round-robin match two:
Beat Andrey Rublev 7-5 6-2
Round-robin match three:
Beat Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-4
Not long to go!
Good evening and welcome to Express Sport’s live blog following Carlos Alcaraz’s highly-anticipated showdown with Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals.
The players are due to take to the court at 8pm UK time for what will be their fifth meeting.
After beating Daniil Medvedev earlier in the day, Jannik Sinner awaits the winner in the final.
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