By the final stages of a tense second-set tie-break, Novak Djokovic had left no stone unturned as he tried to cling on. He attempted to serve and volley, he threw in drop shots and vainly tried to take the first strike from his opponent. On more than one occasion, Djokovic’s miraculous defensive efforts drew 23,000 spectators to their feet.
Yet this time, in this late stretch of his glorious career, he simply did not have the level to match one of the new standard bearers of the sport he has dominated for so long. Across the net, Carlos Alcaraz continued his imperious form by maintaining his composure and holding his nerve to return to the US Open final with a 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory.
