When the first game of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon final lasted a staggering 14 minutes, some on Centre Court may have worried about making it home in time to catch the start of the Euro 2024 final.
Alcaraz - set to cheer on his beloved Spain against England - would have been one of them, but after that mammoth opening encounter, what followed was an unforeseen schooling of the 24-time Grand Slam winner.
A repeat of last year's five-set spectacular was anticipated on Sunday afternoon, but instead, the man who has been handing out free tennis masterclasses to the younger generation was instead taught a brutal lesson by his youthful foe, as Alcaraz prevailed 6-2 6-2 7-6[4] in two hours and 27 minutes.
In the first two sets, Djokovic certainly had the look of a 37-year-old who had recently undergone knee surgery, but the never-say-die Serbian refused to concede defeat when it appeared to be inevitable, saving no fewer than three Championship points.
However, Djokovic had simply given himself too big a hill to climb after the first two sets, and with his fourth chance to seal the SW19 crown, the 21-year-old made no mistake.
As well as making it back-to-back Wimbledon crowns and following up his run to French Open glory, Alcaraz became the youngest man to win at both Roland-Garros and SW19 in one season, as well as emulating Roger Federer to become just the second man in the Open Era to win both of his first four major finals.
Here, Sports Mole analyses how an awesome Alcaraz dismantled his beleaguered foe to clinch his second Grand Slam crown of the year.
Set 1: Mammoth opening game precedes Alcaraz annihilation
Carlos Alcaraz takes the first set in the #Wimbledon final.✅#BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/korjISuc8I
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
Early errors from Djokovic coupled with Alcaraz's failure to convert a few break opportunities contributed to an epic first game of the Wimbledon final, where the Spaniard eventually made it fifth time lucky to get off to the perfect start in the sunshine.
Several Centre Court spectators could scarcely believe their eyes as Djokovic failed to cope with Alcaraz's intensity early doors, and with a double fault in the fifth game, the vivacious Spaniard earned the double break.
The reigning champion ran into no obstacles whatsoever en route to an incredibly straightforward hold, winning 87% of his first-serve points and all four of his net approaches. In contrast, Djokovic was just 4/12 on the latter metric, committed nine unforced errors and only took 55% of points behind his first serve.
Set 2: Deja vu for disjointed Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz is flying 🔥
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
He's now two sets up in rapid time in the Wimbledon men's final. #BBCTennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/cBhODga9q2
Any hopes of a Djokovic turnaround in the second set suffered a devastating blow right from the off, as after being broken in the first game of match, he lost serve immediately in set number two, lamenting poor play at the net again.
The seven-time champion's shot selections were raising a few eyebrows from fans and pundits alike, although one delicate drop shot in the third game - which sealed a pivotal hold - was a sign of his everlasting quality.
However, the 37-year-old was still powerless on return against an Alcaraz on the warpath, and in another case of first-set deja vu, another Djokovic double fault handed Alcaraz his fourth break of the contest in the seventh game.
The 21-year-old comfortably moved 2-0 up in the final, despite also double-faulting three times in the second set with zero aces, as he took the only two break points he fashioned and won 56% of points on Djokovic's second serve.
Set 3: Alcaraz staves off late Djokovic fightback
The King of Centre Court retains his crown 👑#BBCTennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/iLpWJcgdxq
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
At the third time of asking, Djokovic finally avoided being broken in his opening game, a huge psychological boost which triggered serious improvement from the 24-time major winner in the third set.
Djokovic let out an almighty battle cry after saving four break points to hold for a 2-1 lead, and the Serbian brought up an opportunity to break a slightly ailing Alcaraz in a lengthy six game, only for the Spaniard to find his first serves at a crucial time.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for Djokovic when an astonishing cross-court backhand return from Alcaraz gave the Spaniard the chance to serve for the title, and at 40-0 up in the 10th game, that would ostensibly be all she wrote.
However, with one double fault, a nice Djokovic return and a smash that landed wide, Alcaraz let three Championship points slip through his grasp and allowed the pressure to get to him, struggling to land several first serves and eventually conceding a shock break to Djokovic.
In doing so, the Serbian gave himself the slimmest hope of pulling off what would have been the greatest comeback ever seen in professional tennis, but in the critical tie-breaker, a dainty Alcaraz drop shot brought up his fourth match point, where a tired Djokovic return found the net to ensure his opponent's place at the top of the grass-court game.
Ben Knapton
