What a performance! What a match! What a tournament from Carlos Alcaraz!
In 3 hours and 23 minutes of epic tennis and gruelling rallies. 19 years old Carlos Alcaraz Garfia from Murcia, Spain won his biggest title in his young career, beating Casper Ruud who played his second Major final, in the final in four sets (6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3).
He therefore became this Monday, the youngest world number one in the history of tennis, breaking Lleyton Hewitt’s record, who became number one in 2001.
The most difficult path to the FIRST Grand Slam final?
Carlitos’ journey to the final was definitely, one of the most difficult ones in the last few years. He started his campaign with a straight-set wins in the first three matches beating Argentines Baes and Coria and Home favourite Jenson Brooksby.
Then, the journey got really hard. In the fourth round, he faced former champion Marin Cilic who is having a great season, reaching semifinals in the French Open for his first time. The match was gruelling, to say the least. It lasted 3 hours and 54 minutes and ended at 2.23 am, with the score of 6-4 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-4.
In the quarterfinals against Italian Next Gen Sinner, the tennis fans were all looking forward for an epic, especially since it was their third meeting in the year, Sinner winning both previous encounters.
Alcaraz looking to revenge his tough loss in Wimbledon, started really well and had his chances to lead by two sets to love. The missing opportunity could have gone hunting him, since Sinner won two tiebreaks, and lead by two sets to love, and even served for the match in the fourth set.
So many people compare Carlos to Rafael Nadal, especially in the fighting spirit and the never giving up attitude. Well, that’s what would save him, when he was down match point. Alcaraz didn’t let go and fought hard to win the fourth set 7-5,and then the match in the fifth, to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final.
The 6-3 6-7 6-7 7-5 6-3 victory lasted five hours and 15 minutes and was the latest ever finish in the US Open’s history.
The five sets epics wouldn’t stop there. Alcaraz then faced Frances Tiafoe of the United States. After losing the first set, he won the next two in easy 6-3 6-1. Tiafoe, with the help of the crowd energy, made an incredible save on match point and won the fourth in another tiebreak. But Alcaraz, who although on his third consecutive five setter, didn’t show a sign of fatigue, and finished the match 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 thriller to book his place in Sunday’s final.
“I thought it is a new match in the fifth set. I have to stay there playing, playing well, playing my game, and believe.” Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz vs Ruud: The highest of high-stakes
The 19-year-old, was now one win away from the championship. In the final, he faced Norwegian Casper Ruud. The match was not like any other Grand Slam final. The players were both playing for their first Grand Slam title AND for the World No.1 spot.
The native of EL Palmar didn’t take long to dominate. He broke in the 3rd game and won the first set 6-4. Taking advantage of his opponent’s dip in the second, Ruud won it 6-2.
In the third set, it was a battle. At 6-5, Alcaraz saved two set points, and went on to win the third in the tiebreak (7-1). He then showed big domination with his aggressive game, controlled his nerves, and served for the match like a champion. He won 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 in 3h23 of play, becoming at the top of the tennis world and winning his first of many Grand Slam titles.
