Carlos Alcaraz was on the cusp of victory in the final of the 2023 Cincinnati Open but was unable to convert a championship point after leading a set and a break.
The Spaniard eventually came unstuck by the mental fortitude of Novak Djokovic, who avenged the gut-wrenching defeat suffered in the Wimbledon final a month prior.
Lasting three hours and 49 minutes, it was the longest three-set ATP final in history and is widely viewed as the tour-level match of the year.
Reigning champion Djokovic will not be present in Cincinnati this week after focusing all of his efforts on the US Open title defense, but Alcaraz is returning to Ohio and is eager to bounce back from the heartbreak suffered 12 months ago.
The 21-year-old led by a set and a break, but was unable to cross the finish line as Djokovic raised his level in an imposing comeback victory.
Carlos Alcaraz projected run to the Cincinnati Open title
Despite suffering more heartbreak from Djokovic in the final of the Olympics this year, Carlos Alcaraz arrives back at the Cincinnati Open with a point to prove.
However, he will not rest easy as he has been dealt a tough draw, especially in the early contests.
Here is his projected run to the title:
- Round one: Bye
- Round two: Gael Monfils / Alexei Popyrin
- Round three: Holger Rune / Matteo Berrettini
- Quarter-final: Casper Ruud / Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Semi-final: Daniil Medvedev / Hubert Hurkacz
- Final: Jannik Sinner / Alexander Zverev
Can Alcaraz reach the final unscathed?
There is danger at every corner for Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, and plenty of players who pose significant threats.
One of these is Alexei Popyrin, who is in red-hot form on the North American hard courts having soared to victory at the Canadian Open on Monday.
The Australian beat three top-20 players in Ben Shelton, Grigor Dimitrov, and Hubert Hurkacz before world number six Andrey Rublev in the final to lift his maiden Masters 1000 trophy.
If he can carry this form through to Cincinnati, then four-time major champion Alcaraz could face an early test.
Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, is another threat the world number three could face as early as the third round.
The Italian has been hampered by injuries in recent years, but is in red-hot form in 2024, having already won three ATP titles.
Despite Alcaraz having the capabilities to get past these types of opponents, it is not the kindest of draws, given the weight of expectation following his recent heartbreak.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
