In the final of the 2023 Cincinnati Open, Carlos Alcaraz faced defeat at the hands of Novak Djokovic. The match, an instant classic, concluded with the Serbian emerging victorious (5-7, 7-6, 7-6) after a marathon three hours and 49 minutes of intense play. This marked the longest-ever best-of-three Masters 1000 title match in history.

On Sunday, Novak Djokovic overcame Carlos Alcaraz with a score of 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) to avenge his loss in the Wimbledon final and secure the Western & Southern Open title in Cincinnati, Ohio. Participating in his first tournament on US soil since 2021, the 36-year-old Serbian rallied back from being a set and a break down against the world's top-ranked player. He managed to save a championship point, securing his third Cincinnati Open title and the 95th ATP Tour title of his career. After a grueling three-hour and 49-minute match, which marked the longest best-of-three sets final on the ATP Tour since 1990, Djokovic collapsed onto the ground for several seconds before rising and tearing off his shirt. "Without a doubt, one of the most challenging and thrilling matches I've ever been a part of in any tournament," Djokovic shared after the match, visibly exhausted. "It felt even more like a Grand Slam final, if I'm honest. Every time we face each other, it's a battle to the very end." In what could be an early glimpse of the US Open final next month, Djokovic expressed his desire to face the 20-year-old Alcaraz again "in a few weeks in New York," pausing briefly before humorously adding, "for the audience's sake. As for me, I'm not sure it would be pleasant."