Djokovic outlasted Alcaraz by almost 4 hours for the title in Cincinnati; Coco Gauff won the women’s championship.

MASON, Ohio (AP) — Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling Wimbledon final, winning 5-7 7-6(7), 7-6(4) on Sunday to win the Western & Southern Open.

In a match that lasted 3 hours and 49 minutes, the best of three sets, the longest in ATP Tour history (since 1990), second-seeded Djokovic avenged his loss to top-ranked Alcaraz last month and earned him a The 95th career title surpasses Ivan Lendl for third among men in his professional era. dating back to 1968

In the women’s final, seventh-seeded Coco Gauff became the first teenager in more than 50 years to win the Western & Southern Open with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Karolina Muchova.

Djokovic was playing his first tournament on U.S. soil in two years due to COVID-19 restrictions. He won his third Cincinnati title in six years from Match 5 when Alcaraz hit wide with a forehand return.

The 36-year-old Serbian fell on his back. arms and legs spread out before heading to the net to shake hands with his Spanish opponent. Then he walked around the field and tore his shirt from the buttons.

“This is one of the most exciting matches I have ever played in any tournament,” said the 23-time Grand Slam winner during the post-match trophy ceremony. “Feels like a Grand Slam”

With temperatures nearly 90 degrees high, Djokovic survived the tournament’s longest men’s run since at least the 1990s and became the oldest man to win the championship. Ken Rosewall was 35 when he won it in 1970.

The rematch of Alcaraz’s five-set victory at Wimbledon broke Cincinnati’s previous record of 2 hours and 49 minutes, set in 2010 as Roger Federer beat Mardi. Fish is the longest three-set bout on the men’s tour this season, running at 3 minutes.

“I have a lot to say. But I’m not sure I have enough energy,” said Djokovic, lifting his trophy. He paused and looked at Algaraz.

“You never gave up, did you?” he said. “I love that about you. I hope we meet in New York. That would be fun for the fans, not for me.”

The US Open begins Aug. 28. Defending champion Alcaraz is guaranteed to remain No. 1 in the tournament.

The tiebreaker is Alcaraz’s fourth and fifth team from four matches during the week. He made three sets in every match, while Djokovic didn’t lose a set until Sunday.

“The competition is pretty close,” Alcaraz said. “I’ll be back.”

2022 French Open runner-up Gauff earned her first Masters 1000 title when Muchova cruised backwards with a forehand in Gauff’s fourth match point. Down with glee after surviving a 1 hour 56 minute match played in temperatures approaching 90 degrees.

“This is incredible,” Gauff said during the post-match trophy presentation. “I’m just happy to be here at this moment.

“I would like to congratulate Karolina for an amazing performance in this tournament,” she added. “Hopefully we can play more often. and in a bigger arena.”

Gauff was the tournament’s fourth teenage finalist and first since Vera Zvonareva in 2004. She was the first teenage champion since 17-year-old Linda Tuero in 1968.

After a choppy first set that included five service splits, including two Goff errors on one point, Goff was commanded over his Czech opponents with a break in the eighth game.

She struggled with a two point break in the fourth game of the second set. And in control by braking in the next game when Mukova sends a wide backhand While winning the next game, Gauff made a break with the winner leaving the net, leaving her left hand on the racket and looking up at the sky as if she was praying thanks.

She missed three match points in the eighth game before closing.

“When I woke up this morning The first thing I said was ‘ouch’,” said Mushova, 26. “I know it’s going to be a tough job to beat. Especially with someone like Coco.”

The French Open runner-up will celebrate her birthday on Monday by moving to 10th place in the WTA rankings.