This game meant more to Djokovic than we would think. Alcaraz said himself during the tournament that he is the end boss that Djokovic has to beat if he wants to win in Cincinnatti. With Wimbledon ending in favor of Alcaraz and the media talking about Alcaraz possibly ending Djokovic's dominance, this was the perfect final and the perfect response that Djokovic could give to all the critiques.
Being one set down and then under those conditions turn the game around with two tiebreaks, demonstrating his enormous mental strength an stamina, was important for Djokovic. He showed that this duel between him and Alcaraz is anything but yet decided. It is great for the tennis audience and even though I like Alcaraz a lot, I was hoping for Djokovic to win in order to keep the rivalry at a maximum. A great final game with a great ending.
That was a great performance from Djokovic. He was mentally and physically better in this match. That was a testament to his experience. Alcaraz lacks that, but he is also on the right path. But it will still take a long time. The final was worth to watch it and one can only hope that the next matches between the two will also still exciting.
I only partially agree with you bct_ail, alcaraz has a way to go yet to match or surpass
Djokovic but its only vary small.
That final was very very close, the last two sets went both to tie breaks, looking at the
stats below shows how close it was + & - for both players in different aspects of their games.
I wouldnt say Djokovic was overwhelmingly better than Alcaraz.
Betting on games won and / or sets won was definitely the way to go for that final