Novak Djokovic had to block out the annoying distracting of an amusement park fireworks display to finally conclude a 7-6 (5), 7-5 win over Alexander Zverev on Saturday which put him into a Cincinnati Masters final against Carlos Alcaraz.
The two-hour victory set up a repeat of last month’s Wimbledon final won by the 20-year-old Alcaraz, world No. 1 to Djokovic’s No. 2.
Djokovic won a lengthy opening set against Germany’s Zverev which lasted for an hour and a quarter but picked up the pace in the second set.
But the nerves of the 23-time grand Slam winner were tested as he failed to serve out victory leading a set and 5-4.
The 36-year–old immediately broke back and wound up the evening a game later to progress to the title match.
“I played a very poor game, but I bounced back and sealed the deal in the 12th game of the second set,” the two-time champion here said.
“I could have done some things better, but I’m pretty happy about winning in straight sets.
“A final with the world No. 1 and No. 2 facing each other is I guess what everyone wanted – so here we are.”
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…
Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…
Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…
Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…
Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…
Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…