Djokovic survives ’toughest match’ to beat Alcaraz in Cincy

Novak Djokovic needed five match points and nearly four hours to pull off a gritty victory over Carlos Alcaraz and claim a third ATP Cincinnati Open title on Sunday.

A titanic struggle between the world's top two players saw Djokovic - who looked out on his feet in the second set - save a match point before coming through on his own fifth match point for a 5-7, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4) triumph.

“It's crazy, I don't know what I can say,” said 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who was seen by the doctors early in the second set for heat illness in a battle that lasted three hours and 44 minutes.

“It's tough to describe. It was the toughest I've ever played in my life.

“From start to finish we both went through highs, lows, incredible points, bad games, heatstroke, comebacks.

“Overall this was the toughest and most exciting match I've ever been a part of.

“It's matches like these that I continue to work for.” It was another epic chapter to the budding rivalry between 20-year-old top-ranked Alcaraz and the 36-year-old Serb star, who avenged his loss to the Spaniard in a five-set Wimbledon final last month.

The two - who have traded the number one ranking six times this year - are now level on two wins apiece in their head-to-head rivalry.

“I feel proud of myself, honestly. I don't know why I was crying because I fight until the last ball,” Alcaraz said. (AFP)