Alcaraz blitzes Djokovic in straight sets to retain Wimbledon singles’ stitle

By Paul Lagan at Wimbledon
Centre Court
6-2, 6-2, 7-6(7,4)

Carlos Alcaraz obliterated Novak Djokovic to retain his Wimbledon singles title in a blistering two hours and 27 mins on Centre Court
The Spaniard, 21, has well and truly taken over the baton from seven time champion Djokovic, who simply could not contain the power, athleticism, guile and winning mentality of the main from Murcia.
Alcaraz won the toss and chose to receive serve.
It proved to be the first of many critical decisions he took.
He broke the Serbia star in a powerhouse first game that lasted 15 minutes.
It showed his intent not to give any cheap points.
It also revealed a tactic by Djokovic that proved ultimately to be flawed.
His first serves were slow by comparison to Alcaraz’s – if Djokovic was hoping to out rally the man on the other side of the net, it did not work.
In the second game Alcaraz put in a eye-watering 136mph serve.
Djokovic simply could not reign in the monster that simply would not be tamed.
He was broken again to give the Spaniard a 4-1 lead and he saw the set out 6-2 in just 42 minutes.
Could it be repeated?
Well, yes.
Djokovic served first and was promptly beaten.
That set the tone for an almost repeat set, but there was some scintillating tennis along the way from both players.
A deft drop-shot apiece won games to take it to 3-1 to Alcaraz.
Djokovic fought back to hold his serve but he slipped up again to give Alcaraz a 5-2 lead.
It was over as a set in one hour and 15 minutes.
While age can kill dreams, it comes with experience and Djokovic knew that he had to keep a foothold in the match and hope the tide would turn in his favour.
Alcaraz’s serves and returns looked to lack the intensity of the opening sets, but he still managed to have three break points – he lost them all to give Djokovic a 2-1 lead.
Games went with serves and at 2-3, Alcaraz and his opponent produced the game of the match, with passes, cross-court forehand winners aplenty to keep the crowd entertained.
A slight loss of focus by Alcaraz suggested he could be tiring but he held to male it 4-4.
The set exploded in the following game as Alcaraz broke Djokovic’s serve. Leaving him just to serve out his next game.
Just is only a word and action was what was needed, and Djokovic constructed the first break of service on the Spaniard.
The cliches that the crowd went wild was never more apparent.
Whether they were all Djokovic fans or they wanted a five-setter remained unclear.
But a hold apiece took the third set into a t-e-break.
The first mini-break fell to Alcaraz to take a 3-1 lead. But then it was 3-3, 4-3, and significantly 5-3 to Alcaraz.
That was brought back to 5-4 and then 6-4 and a fourth Championship point.
And then it was over.
Alcaraz will take home a cheque for £2.7million for his efforts while Djokovic will tend to his tears with £1.4million cheque.

Pictured top: Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after victory in the Gentlemen’s Singles Final against Novak Djokovic (not pictured) on day 14 of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London. Picture date: Sunday July 14, 2024 Picture: PA