Alcaraz* 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 5-4 Djokovic
While Djokovic has been minding his own business well on serve, he hasn’t troubled the Spaniard too match on his own, but lets out a huge roar as he wins a fast-paced point to put himself love-15 up.
He’s betrayed by the net cord however, his backhand return smacking it and falling on the wrong side. Unbelievably, he chases down Alcaraz’s first drop shot, but he’s then stuck in mid-court, and can be simply bypassed. The younger man is just too, too good.
But Djokovic is not out of this yet! In another hurricane exchange, Djokovic eventually comes off the better when Alcaraz hits into the tramlines. Like a conductor, he revs up the crowd: ‘Nole! Nole! Nole!’
Now, he has break point, Alcaraz smacking his return into the net. A first fault looks promising, but the second serve is strong, and Djokovic is the first to blink in the exchanges, bringing up deuce.
An incredibly punchy forehand from Alcaraz is angled too well, and Djokovic would have to have arms of elastic to catch it. Advantage Alcaraz.
And he pulls off the hold when Djokovic’s next backhand goes long! He’s one game away from glory.
