Djokovic-Alcaraz rivalry catches fire after 'crazy' Cincinnati Open final

It was, for too long, a rivalry played out primarily in the rankings, but boy has it caught fire since Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz finally started to duel on a regular basis.

Circumstances – namely injuries and Covid-related travel restrictions – had limited the number of opportunities the two current titans of men's tennis had squared off on court, despite a constant grapple for top spot in the standings.

The pair's thrilling maiden encounter, last May, went the way of Alcaraz in the Madrid Masters semi-finals as the fast-rising Spaniard edged the incomparable Serb by the slimmest of margins, but the tennis world had to wait a full 13 months for the next showdown.

When it came, in the French Open semi-finals in June, a match that was shaping up to be a potential classic was frustratingly interrupted by all-consuming cramps that left Alcaraz barely able to walk or swing a racquet. He soldiered on but the match was over as a contest and the long-awaited second act ended in anti-climax.

A rivalry that fans had hoped would fill the void left by the retirement of Roger Federer and the increasing absence of the perennially injured Rafael Nadal had yet to satisfy the appetite. So, when Djokovic and Alcaraz strode on to Wimbledon's Centre Court five weeks later to battle for the most prestigious prize in tennis, there was a hint of trepidation mixed in with all the hype and excitement.

Could this young kid who had, until this summer, yet to show championship-winning form on grass, really topple the seven-time defending champion? It seemed the Wimbledon final was the least likely place to kickstart this much-desired rivalry, and when Djokovic took the first set 6-1, those concerns looked to be realised.

What ultimately