18:33
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 5-7
It’s the third set! Djokovic can fend off the first set ball, but then has to watch as Alcaraz makes the next stop and thus lays the foundation for the converted set ball.
18:32
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 5-6
Alcaraz is once again showing outstanding defensive work. In the end, Djokovic actually made the mistake in this rally, who now faces three break and set balls.
18:27
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 5-6
Alcaraz has to go over the second serve again, but Djokovic misses the chance because he hits the return far out of bounds.
18:26
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 5-5
The Spaniard has to go over the second serve, but risks the stop again during the rally, which this time is crowned with success again.
18:25
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 5-5
Alcaraz tries another stop, but this time it ends up in the net. It’s breakball for the djoker!
18:24
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 5-5
It’s getting pretty crisp again! Alcaraz is already leading 40:15, but then wobbles. It’s about debut!
18:21
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 5-5
From his point of view, Alcaraz sniffs a possible break when the score is 30: 0, but in the decisive phase Djokovic simply serves too well.
18:16
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 4-5
Djokovic’s return jumps high and Alcaraz also plays back high. Then the Spaniard sprints towards the net and completely surprises Djoker. The audience is enthusiastic and celebrates the Spanish protégé.
18:12
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 4-4
The Spaniard serves really well, on the other side Djoker can’t bring the return over the net. That’s how it goes here about debut.
18:12
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 4-4
Alcaraz slips up on the forehand and is now under a lot of pressure! There is the breakball for the djoker!
18:08
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 4-4
Slowly but surely it’s getting tingly! The djoker also brings his serve through, so it’s in step with the absolute crunch time of the set. Alcaraz is now under pressure again and can certainly not afford a break.
18:03
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 3-4
With the stop, Alcaraz has obviously found a tried and tested remedy. He builds three(!) stops in a row in this service game and gets the 4:3.
17:58
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 3-3
You can see from the Djoker how important this service game is for him. The Serb clenches his fist determinedly as he equalizes to 3-3.
17:57
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 2-3
Djokovic stays cool and above all serves well. This is how the Serb can fend off the breakball here.
17:57
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 2-3
Once again Alcaraz plays a superb stop after driving Djokovic wide open. With this strong point he gets the breakball here!
17:50
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 2-3
Both players now have a lot of self-confidence, especially with their own service. Because Carlos Alcaraz is again downplaying his serve, he can make it 3: 2.
17:46
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 2-2
At 30:30, Alcaraz actually has the chance to attack the serve here, but wants too much and fires the return out. As a result, the Djoker gets the 2:2.
17:40
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 1-2
But Carlos Alcaraz can also serve! The Spaniard was able to tick off the lost set quickly and is also marching through this service game. 2:1 for the youngster!
17:39
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 1-1
Since the break he conceded at the beginning of set one, Djokovic can hardly be stopped on his own serve. So he equalizes again sovereign to 1:1.
17:35
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7-6 0-1
Getting off to a good start in the second set is certainly essential for Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard manages to do this again and again in a very sovereign way. The 19-year-old seems to have stabilized a bit more with his own service.
17:29
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 7:6
Djokovic celebrates as if he had already won the tournament. The Serb gets set one here. He also gets whistles from the audience for his exaggerated reaction. Nevertheless, no one can take the first sentence away from him. And just as the Djoker played last time and above all served, it will be anything but easy for Alcaraz to turn the match around.
17:25
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 6: 6 (6: 5)
Under the cheers of the spectators, Alcaraz actually fends off the set ball when the Serb serves and now two more on his own service. Is there anything else?
17:23
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 6: 6 (6: 2)
There it is, the next set ball for Djokovic! This time, however, he has at least two of them on his own serve.
17:21
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 6: 6 (4: 1)
Djokovic continues to collect his points on his own serve, there are now almost 20 in a row. Unsurprisingly, he confirms the mini-break.
17:20
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 6: 6 (2: 0)
The first mini-break goes to the experienced! Again he can build up the pressure directly with a good return and will definitely follow suit. Advantage for the Serbs.
17:17
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 6:6
That will do Alcaraz good! In time for the end of the sentence, the Spaniard regains his rhythm and can once again bring in a safe service game. It’s going to the tie break!
17:12
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 6:5
We remember: Before the service game, Djoker had scored 13 points in a row with his own service. Now it’s 17, because the Serb secured his service without losing a point.
17:10
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 5:5
The youngster keeps his nerve! Even if the momentum is currently swinging a little in the direction of Djokovic, it is 5: 5 in the extension of set one.
17:08
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 5:4
Alcaraz quickly leads 30-0, but then wobbles and sometimes seems a bit over-motivated. It’s about debut!
17:03
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 5:4
For the first time in this game, Djoker takes the lead and in an impressive way. The Serb has now scored 13 points in a row on his own serve.
17:01
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 4:4
There it happened! Again the Spaniard has to go over the second serve, again the return from Djoker is good. Alcaraz tries to pick up the pace, but hits the ball in the net. Everything back in order!
17:00
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 3:4
Novak Djokovic has a breakball for the third time. The Serb plays a return right in front of Alcaraz’s feet and ultimately benefits from the Spaniard’s mistake.
16:55
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 3:4
With his own serve, however, the Serb is now completely in his rhythm. Once again, Djokovic gets through his service without any problems.
16:54
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 2:4
Alcaraz is again on the second serve, but Djoker is too impatient with the return. He wants to put pressure directly down the line, but puts the ball next to the line.
16:52
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 2-3
Alcaraz fights back, scoring another strong forehand winner. Speaking of forehand winners: the Djoker hasn’t had one of the same so far today.
16:51
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 2-3
Djokovic now suspects a stop and makes the point to 30: 0 from his point of view. Alcaraz comes up to 30:30, but then has to go over the second serve. Djokovic dominates this rally and now has the break ball.
16:47
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 2-3
With his second ace, Djokovic fires himself to zero to make it 2: 3. Sure, the Serb is still chasing the break here, but still shows that he’s coming into this game so slowly.
16:43
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 1-3
Alcaraz puts the pressure on with his forehand and has the upper hand in most rallies. In addition, the 19-year-old throws in the stop early on. The Spaniard can now get a service game without any problems.
16:38
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 1-2
Now, however, Novak Djokovic has arrived in this game. The favorite gets his serve through here without any problems, because he was able to significantly improve his odds on the first serve.
16:36
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 0:2
Take a deep breath at Alcaraz! The Spaniard gets the 2-0 here and confirms the break. He has to work on the veteran on the other side for a long time before Djoker makes a forehand mistake.
16:34
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 0-1
Now, however, Djokovic has a direct chance for the re-break! Alcaraz has to go over the second serve, but takes a lot of risk and so Djoker can’t control the return properly. It’s about debut!
16:29
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 0-1
The Djoker goes to the net a little too early and because the attack hit is not optimal, Alcaraz can easily pass the Serbs.
16:29
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 0-0
With a double fault, Djokovic actually “gives” the first breakball right here!
16:27
N Djokovic – C Alcaraz 0-0
Here we go! Djokovic, incredibly safe on his own serve yesterday, starts with the same. However, the first point goes to Alcaraz, which is enthusiastically applauded by the audience.
16:11
Patience is required
It’s not yet happening here on the Center Court in Madrid. The spectators are waiting for the players, who will probably enter the field in a few minutes.
15:43
Spanish changing of the guard?
In Madrid of all places, Carlos Alcaraz beat his idol Rafael Nadal for the first time yesterday and may have heralded the changing of the guard. Alcaraz dominated Nadal for long stretches, only an ankle injury could stop him briefly. If this doesn’t hinder Alcaraz today, the young Spaniard should be an equal opponent for Djoker.
15:30
Djoker wants to go to the next final!
The difficulties Novak Djokovic had at the beginning of the year have been discussed in detail. The Serb should be happy that this week it’s all about sport. After showing improved form in Belgrade and reaching (and losing) the final, the next final is now scheduled for Madrid. A performance like the one he showed yesterday against Hubert Hurkacz would certainly help.
15:08
Warm welcome!
Hello and welcome to the ATP Masters in Madrid! The two semi-finals are scheduled for this Saturday in the Spanish metropolis. From around 4 p.m. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz determine the first finalist.