Alcaraz was playing better(less tight) in the second set, but I could see/sense that he didn't quite believe in his possible victory after Novak schooled him in the first set. I remember that Novak's serving dropped significantly in the second set(1st serve percentage at least, he missed like 5-6 consecutive first serves at one point). Shot tolerance got lower, Djokovic started to miss more routine shots from the baseline and his depth decreased a bit which allowed Alcaraz to control/dominate points more and overpower him from the baseline.
I’m sure Djokovic knew that Alcaraz would lift his game in that 2nd set to be sure. It would SURPRISE me that Djokovic would take his foot off the pedal knowing what that would mean for the match. It did turn out to be a very close 2nd set and it needed a tie break in the end.
But, what was most important and surprising was Novak's unclutchness in the tiebreak. On set point he missed a completely ordinary, regular rally backhand. The point after, same situation, ordinary backhand into the net. That doesn't happen with Novak, 99% of the time(best ask Federer). He had also a terrible drop shot(both shot selection and it's execution) while leading 3-0 in the tiebreak. Then, the decision to serve and volley on set point against great returner like Alcaraz who is also extremely fast and would likely reach the volley even if Novak made one.
You mention about Djokovic missing some routine shots in the tie break. The drop shots are another interesting point too. We are seeing more and more of them it seems and there are times when they go horribly wrong. It’s a high risk shot but when executed properly, it’s extremely effective at helping keep your opponent off balance. Djokovic did make some drop shot errors but it’s tough to know if he was in control of the rally during those points or not without watching it again. I think all players sometimes play the player and not the ball in terms of making the right shot. Alcaraz served superbly out wide to Djokovic’s forehand in the deuce court at times. Precision serving. He completely fooled Djokovic at 4-4 in the tiebreak with a beautiful disguised drop shot. The two missed backhands were his 40-15 Federer moment. He missed shots we all thought he should make. It happens to everyone at times. Alcaraz finished off the tie break with an incredible back hand return that Djokovic could just watch fly by him for a winner.
Alcaraz started to believe in victory after winning the second set, Novak never quite recovered after that, even though he still could've possibly won the match(missed break point in the 5th set...). 3rd set was lost as a direct consequence of losing the second. Novak was down(psychologically, maybe a bit physically as well), Alcaraz completely took the momentum and it carried him.
Alcaraz did settle down in that 2nd set and started to find his game and it was just in time I believe. He started going for his shots and was finding and building his confidence along the way. You need to remember that Alcaraz was playing Djokovic at Wimbledon after all, so it wasn’t going to be easy for him at the beginning. There was no doubt he felt the enormity of the moment. He started to handle it better and put it out of his mind and started to play at the level we knew he was capable of playing at. Definitely, the 2nd set was the turning point in the match. He kept him guessing and often left him flat footed with great shots. Alcaraz was so quick around the court and that would also cause Djokovic to feel he had to go for more on his shots. Alcaraz had to work to win many of those points and was hitting returns into the corners. He too was frustrated at times in that 2nd set because things weren’t completely going his way either. He was also missing some shots he thought he should’ve made too, but he kept his nerve and focus and won the 2nd set.
It was a close match and could've gone either way but that is the way it goes in close matches. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.
