Carlos Alcaraz was too good for Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open

Who would have ever dreamed that Novak Djokovic would be so great at this year’s Australian Open.

The 38-year-old Serbian did everything except beat Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz ultimately turned out to be too good and too talented.

The 22-year-old Spaniard knew that Djokovic had upset even the seemingly unbeatable Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz clearly had a big job ahead of him if he wanted to win his first Australian Open.

But the first set must have left fans wondering. Alcaraz was not exactly spectacular, winning only two games in the first set. Alcaraz’s game could have gone either way after that.

THE OLD ALCARAZ TOOK OVER

Alcaraz’s game came to life in the second set and resembled the real Alcaraz.

Drop shots, great movement and coverage on the court, and spectacular shot-making took over Alcaraz’s game as Djokovic lost some of the confidence he had shown in his victory over Sinner in the semi-finals. Of course, spectacular play and entertainment for the fans was nothing new for Alcaraz.

Alcaraz only lost a total of five games in the second and third sets as he dominated the game and threatened to walk away with the championship.

NOVAK fought to the end

Djokovic did not go down easily as the fans were on the edge of their seats in the decisive fourth set. The two players split the first ten games of the set for a 5-5 score, with each holding serve five times.

The stage was set for a tight finish, but Alcaraz was at the top of his game. He lost just one point in each of the last two matches to earn a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 victory before Alcaraz took to the cement with a victory and became the youngest player ever to win a Grand Slam in his career.

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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award for Print Media. He graduated from The Citadel’s MBA in 1995 and can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.