History was on the line for both superstars in a highly anticipated final that ensured a rather underwhelming Australian Open ended with a flourish.
Following their gruelling semi-finals on Friday, neither player trained on Saturday, leaving everyone wondering how they would pull up on Sunday.
Djokovic pointed out Alcaraz had the advantage in that regard, given the 16-year age difference, but the veteran made a mockery of that gap with a blistering start.
Moving sharply, Djokovic used his superior tennis IQ to carefully construct points in a way which Alcaraz could not compute – similar to how he discombobulated the Spaniard in last year’s quarter-finals.
A locked-in Djokovic comfortably held serve thanks to the precision of his opening shot and accuracy of his groundstrokes, laying the platform to break Alcaraz for a 3-1 lead.
Continuing to take angles and space away from his opponent, Djokovic comfortably consolidated for a 4-1 lead and broke again to seal the opening set.
How long Djokovic could maintain this level was the next question.
A lot of emphasis had been placed on Djokovic’s good fortune over the fortnight, but his luck ran out in the third game of the second set when a remarkable net cord helped Alcaraz break.
The manner was brutal and, coming at 1-1 15-15, was crucial in shifting momentum.
From that point, Djokovic’s serve lacked the same precision and his groundstrokes were not as punchy.
Alcaraz won four of the next five games to level the match, keeping his foot on the pedal to break twice in the third set and lead.
Djokovic, though, is not a man to be beaten easily.
He fought off six break points in the second game of the fourth set, then created a chance of his own on Alcaraz’s serve in the ninth game.
Alcaraz kept his cool in a baseline duel with Djokovic finally pushing a forehand long – and it proved vital.
The exchanges continued to be intense as the set entered the business end, but Djokovic blinked first.
After being rocked by a deep Alcaraz return at 15-30, he clattered another forehand into the net on championship point.
