We'll see what happens here but interesting that Djokovic has won the opening set in all three of the matches they've played against each other.
Tennis 2023
- Thread starter GuybrushThreepwood
- Start date
Double break point for Carlos and Novak comes clutch again.
Third time lucky as Carlos breaks! Novak been great in big moments but he's making way too poor errors early in games.
Stunning by Carlos on set point to steal it!
Absolutely stitched that backhand on SP.
Novak has obviously struggled with the heat today but its the same conditions for both of them. He's struggling right now and has had a MTO but, again, we've seen this too often, and he's as likely to be absolutely fine in moments as he is to retire.
This last game felt like a missed opportunity to put some money on Novak. At 4-3 15-0, the odds of Djoko winning were 10/1, 7/1 at 15-15, 5.25/1 at 15-30, 3.75/1 at 15-40, and 3/1 once Novak broke. Crazy swings over mere points.
Carlos has played two absolutely shocking games here right when he was about to win. Two games where he's tried to smash every shot on sight and he's gone from 4-3 up and serving to serving to stay in the set at 4-5.
Weird set this one
I think he was affected by the heat too, he was in the sunny side
I just feel he fell for Novak looking dead and buried and lost a bit of his intensity/got a bit complacent.
He's been much better since those two games.
Djokovic takes the second set after what was a largely high quality tie break.
How is that fellow in Djokovic's box just allowed to coach/shout/scream instructions at Novak all match?
Think it's been well relaxed in most ATP tournaments, here I think you're able to coach verbally when the player is on your side, possibly throughout tbh.
Carlos played 3 or 4 mentally cool shots there at serious pressure of going a break down.
Not seen many matches this US hardcourt swing but that fellow shouting in Italian (?) has been at it absolutely nonstop and its genuinely annoying to listen to.
He's unfortunately not doing enough when he's getting to 30-30 or 15-30 on Novak's serve. Snatching at too many second serves. Also, now a big chance for Djokovic to break.
Carlos' hyper aggression on BP is admirable. He's saved 4 this game now. And then unnecessarily pulls the trigger and down a 5th BP. This game is crucial.
Alcaraz has lost his game in this set with a shocking number of errors. The first serve completely disappeared and he's just leaking errors. Incredible point to just save MP though! Brilliant from the guy.
Yeah, has done well to win that game because his shot selection looked like he'd basically given up.
Carlos 0-30 on the Novak serve. If this kid csn win after the match points he saved last game, it'll probably be one of his most impressive feats.
Very tight game from Novak now 
Carlos absolutely threw it away though with that completely ridiculous shot on break point. There was no need.Very tight game from Novak now
Wow, a Novak DF on Championship Point.
Alcaraz came in two balls too late there. Unbelievable pass from Novak though.
These last two games have been incredible tension.
This game is insane.
Classic overhead.
Probably the worst shot of the match that.
Fitting that Carlos saves the break with a Djoko smash.
There were plenty in the first set and a half tbh
Hold here fs!
He's immediately going to break again, won't it?
Long may this rivalry continue!
I just don't understand this set. Its either incredible points and unreal winners or just some really stupid errors from them both Carlos, though, has been magnificent in the big moments. A lot of the Next Gen have talent but no one comes close to the balls this kid has.
Carlos, though, has been magnificent in the big moments. A lot of the Next Gen have talent but no one comes close to the balls this kid has.I just don't understand this set. Its either incredible points and unreal winners or just some really stupid errors from them both
Carlos' first serve has left the building and he is losing out on the baseline battle, so impressed he came back from 3-5.
Would be nice if Carlos can get game point because eventually the price will tell on these BPs. And another BP.
Djokovic's serve left the building as well at 5-4
And yet another BP saved! He's extremely Rafa-esque in how well he plays when BP down.
Finding the serve and volley for two huge points in a row off slower wide first serves was baller
WHAT a hold Carlos. Wonder if Novak will get tight again now at 5-6 down.
Fancy Novak by tiebreak still.