Carlos Alcaraz managed to achieve a turnaround against Novak Djokovic in an exhibition match in Riyadh and won 4:6, 6:4, 6:4. The clash was part of the preparation of the two best tennis players at that moment for the new season. The match lived up to the initial expectations and turned into a spectacle. The 40,000 spectators in the stands in the Saudi capital of Riyadh were delighted to see the two gladiators play like a Grand Slam final.
The match lasted just under two hours. The Spaniard entered the match better, breaking in the first game, but by the end of the first set he lost two games on his own serve and Nole took the opening set.
The situation was similar in the second part, with the difference that Alcaraz turned up the heat and did not allow Djokovic to show his best.
And in the third set, Carlito was the first to win his opponent's serve at 1:1, but later the Serbian equalized at 3:3, taking advantage of the third break point in this game.
The ninth game proved decisive, in which the two-time Grand Slam champion had three break points, used the last one to lead 5:4, and then, without losing a point, served the match.
After the match, the world No. 1 showered Alcaraz with compliments: "It's impressive what he's done at such a young age. He's a very humble young man. He's got a great family and an amazing team. He's one of the leaders of tennis and he's going to dominate the next 10 -15 years," Novak said.
Unlike Djokovic, Alcaraz does not plan to participate in the United Cup. Instead, he will prepare at home longer.
For the Spaniard, a demonstration match with Roberto Bautista Agut follows in Murcia, and then he will prepare at home for the Australian Open. It will arrive in Melbourne around January 8th. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year starts on January 14. /BGNES
