Carlos Alcaraz is determined to become the first player to reaffirm the crown from one edition to another at the ATP 500 on clay in Rio de Janeiro, and he is giving everything he has to accomplish this mission. He is one step away, this Sunday he will play the final against British Cameron Norrie, the same rival he dispatched last week in the final in Buenos Aires 5-3, 7-5.
Both will come with a lot of work to do as they worked hard in the semifinals. Cam Norrie needed two and a half hours to beat Valencian Bernabé Zapata 6-2, 3-6 and 7-6 (3). He spent more time on the track (2h.42′), and finished later, around eleven o’clock at night in the local, Murcian. He had a bad time but the man from El Palmar found a solution to overcome the Chilean Nicolás Jarry.
Alcaraz, 19 years old and world number 2, defeated Jarry, 27 years old and number 139, 6-7 (2), 7-5 and 6-0. The definitive ‘donut’ is the result of the determination of the student of Antonio Martínez Cascales to spin his rival until he submits him and the collapse of the South American when he sees the chance he cherished disappear thanks to the work and grace of a Charly who have the resources of geniuses to survive in the worst situations.
Jarry, who lived through the nightmare of an eleven-month suspension in 2021 after failing an anti-doping control, allegedly due to a contaminated vitamin supplement, played on his best days, when he stroked his way into the top 30 ATP. From his 1.98 height, he hit several clubs that overwhelmed a surprised Alcaraz, who had never faced him.
It took time, and hardship, to adjust to what Jarry demanded. He differentiated his position from others, he did it from afar, and it was worth it. Although everything emerges from a unique capacity for resistance and the decisive quality that suddenly flows in important moments. Alcaraz put up with everything, Jarry wasn’t like that, quite vulnerable in compromising situations. His level dropped to press on his shoulders.
Alcaraz came back from 2-5 down in the first set, but his unusual reaction came to nothing as he played a bad ‘tiebreak’. Against the ropes, he returned four break points to not start the second set in a row. A declaration of intent that led him to 6-5, to break -as in the first set- the opponent’s serve was blank, exhausting the resolution. 7-5 Alcaraz, who maintained a high level, that a devastated Jarry then resigned for good.
Eighth win in a row for Alcaraz in a rare comeback after three and a half months without competing. The effort was maximum, so he had to ask the ‘trainer’ to massage his left thigh three times.
You collect rewards. Tenth final, with eighth title in reach, and close to equaling Novak Djokovic on ranking points. If he lifts the trophy, he will reach 6,980 points for the Serbian, who will continue to be number one by virtue of his greater number adding ATP Finals, Masters 1000 and Grand Slams.
“I feel proud to reach the final. The comeback has been special, I have always stayed in the game, with a positive attitude,” Alcaraz summed up.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
