The big day has arrived for Carlos Alcaraz. The Murcian will look the next morning (01h-Eurosport/Mundodeportivo.com) to knock down another door on his meteoric path to the top of world tennis. The challenge is twofold: on the one hand to qualify for his first Grand Sla finaland, on the other hand, take a step, perhaps decisively, to be number 1 in the world.
The accounts are clear. If Alcaraz makes it to the final and Casper Ruud loses to Karen Khachanov in the other semifinal, he will become the youngest No. 1 in history.. He achieved this in 19 years and 130 days, beating Lleyton Hewitt, who rose to the top spot in 20 years and 268 days.
To do this, he must overcome the great revelation of the contest. Frances Tiafoe He was in the penultimate round after a sensational tournament in which only Rafa Nadal, in the round of 16, managed to win a set. Marcos Giron (1st), Jason Kubler (2nd), Diego Schwartzman (3rd) and Andrey Rublev (1/4) suffered in their flesh from the excellent form of a player who, until his arrival in New York, was only had the remarkable result of reaching the final, at the end of April, in the Estoril tournament.
“It was huge. The best day of my life, I played great tennis. That night I couldn’t sleep, but last night I slept very well. It was a great win, but it was only the fourth round. I’m just trying to focus on the moment.”Tiafoe assured about his victory over Nadal on Monday.
For his part, Alcaraz came away with more wear after two consecutive five-set matches. Victories over Marin Cilic and Jannik Sinner, the latter after an epic battle of more than five hours in which he once again showed that he has the tennis to beat any rival on the circuit.
“This is the best game I’ve played in my entire career, without a doubt.. From the first ball to the last we had great quality, both Jannik and me” said Alcaraz after the match, which ended at around 3 am local time, which became the latest match in the history of the tournament.
Alcaraz and Tiafoe have only met once, at the 2021 Conde de Godó Trophy, as the American won 6-4 and 7-6 (2) in a match where the Murcian blamed inexperience on his debut in the tournament’s big draw in Barcelona.
A lot has changed since then. Today Alcaraz is one of the tennis greats who, after winning this year’s Masters 1000 in Miami and Madrid, the Godó and the tournament in Rio de Janeiro, He has only one final step to take: reach the final of a Grand Slam.
“It will be very difficult, we all know the level of Frances, she beat Nadal, Rublev, she plays incredible tennis, she loves this environment. I have to give it my all, but now I’m enjoying this moment. I have a day off, but today I’m going to enjoy it with my team and my family“, Said an Alcaraz launched by his great dream.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
