Tag: Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz battled back to beat Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday in Tokyo and reach his 10th final of a spectacular season, emulating fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

The world number one and US Open champion Alcaraz will face his Laver Cup conqueror, Taylor Fritz, in Tuesday’s decider of the Japan Open.

No man, since the legendary Rafael Nadal in 2017, has reached 10 finals in a season.

“Following his steps in making 10 finals in a season is something great,” said Alcaraz, who also set a new personal best of 66 wins in a season.

“Hopefully it’s not going to end here — a few tournaments ahead, hopefully (I’ll) get to the finals there as well.”

Alcaraz has wowed the crowds this week, but he was in danger of being outshone by Norway’s world number 12 Ruud, who pulled off a series of spectacular winners to take the first set.

Alcaraz, who suffered an ankle injury on Thursday in his opener, regained control in the second set before closing out the match with another ferocious display of power-hitting.

“Emotionally, it was really tough to deal with everything today,” he said.

“I’m really happy to be able to turn around everything, and I ended that match playing such great tennis. “I’m excited to be playing in another final.”

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His opponent will be world number five Taylor Fritz, who beat the Spanish superstar in San Francisco two weeks ago.

Fritz beat fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3 in the day’s other semi-final.

Alcaraz practiced with Fritz in Tokyo before the tournament began, and he described his final opponent as “a really difficult player to play against”.

“That practice gave me a really good feedback to how I should approach the match,” said Alcaraz.

“I will try to play my best tennis tomorrow — my Plan A, if I want to beat him — because his level is pretty high right now.”

Alcaraz picked up from where he left off in his quarter-final win over Brandon Nakashima, pounding Ruud with some huge forehands early in the match.

But the Norwegian had a few tricks up his sleeve as well, drawing applause from Alcaraz when he floated a winner to the baseline from a difficult angle.

Ruud took the first set when Alcaraz, beginning to show signs of frustration, hit a return long.

The 22-year-old came back strongly, sending down nine aces in the second set alone to tie up the match.

Alcaraz broke Ruud midway through the third set and never looked back, sealing victory with another jackhammer forehand.

“Physically, it can be better, I’m not going to lie,” said Alcaraz, who has been playing with his ankle strapped since his injury.

“Just doing the best work that I can with my team, with my physio, and hopefully tomorrow it will be even better.”

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Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in four sets on Sunday to win the US Open and reassert his dominance of an era-defining rivalry in a final delayed by the visit of President Donald Trump.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz won 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to capture his second US Open crown and sixth Grand Slam title, avenging his lone defeat in a major final by Sinner at Wimbledon in July.

“It’s a great feeling. I’m working really hard just to lift this trophy. It’s my second one, but it’s still a dream come true,” said Alcaraz.

Alcaraz will reclaim the world number one ranking from Sinner, returning to top spot on Monday for the first time since September 2023 after ending the Italian’s 27-match winning run at hard-court Grand Slams.

“It was one of the first goals that I had, to recover the number one (ranking),” said Alcaraz, who also defeated Sinner in an epic French Open final in June.

Alcaraz has now won seven of the past eight meetings and is 10-5 overall against Sinner.

“I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more,” said Sinner. “I felt like he was doing everything slightly better today.

“He raised his level when he had to… He played better than me today.”

Alcaraz and Sinner have shared the last eight Grand Slams on offer, winning four apiece to assert their superiority over the rest of the sport, including Novak Djokovic.

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But while Sinner is 109-4 against the rest of the tour over the past two seasons, Alcaraz has had his number.

“It’s going to be on me if I want to make changes or not,” said Sinner. “That’s what I have to do, trying to become a better tennis player.”

Sinner’s defeat at Flushing Meadowns extends the longest drought without a successful men’s title defence of any Grand Slam in the Open era.

No man has retained the US Open crown since Roger Federer won five in a row from 2004 to 2008.

Anticipation for the third straight Grand Slam final between the game’s top two players assumed an even greater dimension with the presence of Trump.

It was the latest in a series of visits to major sporting events for the US leader after his trip to the NFL’s Super Bowl in February and the FIFA Club World Cup final in July.

He appeared before the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner, waving to the crowd, which greeted him with a mix of cheers and boos. He was given a frostier reception later in the match though when shown again on the stadium’s big screens.

A constellation of showbiz and sports icons turned out as well Sunday, with rock star Bruce Springsteen, fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger, actor Michael Douglas, and basketball superstar Stephen Curry all on hand.

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Carlos Alcaraz said he is increasingly learning what it takes to consistently play his best tennis as he dispatched Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Friday to reach a second US Open final.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz advanced to his third consecutive Grand Slam final with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over 24-time major winner Djokovic.

The Spaniard has won 45 of his last 47 matches and made the final at eight straight tournaments, a run starting with his triumph in Monte Carlo in April.

“It’s something that I’m working on, just the consistency on the matches, on the tournaments, on the year in general. Just not having up-and-downs in the match,” said Alcaraz.

“Just the level that I start the match, just wanted to keep that level really high during the whole match.

“I’m thinking I’m doing that in this tournament, which I’m really proud about. I’m just getting mature. I’m just getting to know myself much better, what I need on and off the court.”

The Spaniard is seeking his sixth major and second in New York after winning the title in 2022.

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He will play reigning champion Jannik Sinner or Canadian 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in Sunday’s final after avenging a quarter-final loss to Djokovic at the Australian Open.

“Beating Novak is always special. But I don’t feel like I’ve won anything more than a Grand Slam semi-final. It was an important match, but it was just a ticket to the final,” said Alcaraz.

His only loss in his last 37 matches came against Sinner in the Wimbledon final.

“I am performing at a high level and sending a message to the people on the circuit that this is my level,” said Alcaraz.

“It is not something exceptional that has happened in one or two tournaments, but rather it is truly my level.

“It is not my maximum level; I still have room to improve, but it is a high level.”

Djokovic suffered his fourth straight semi-final loss at a Grand Slam and foiled the 38-year-old’s bid to become the oldest major champion.

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“It’s impressive what he has done this year in the Slams,” said Alcaraz.

“I told him he always looks like 25 a 25-year-old physically, so to maintain that level at 38, it’s impressive.”

It is the first time since 2017 that Djokovic has failed to reach a Grand Slam final.

His exit also means it is the first season since 2002 where one of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer has not reached the final of a major.

“I lost three out of four Slams in semis against these guys (Alcaraz and Sinner), so they’re just too good, you know, playing on a really high level,” said Djokovic.

“It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams.

“I think I have a better chance in best-of-three, but best-of-five, it’s tough.”

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Novak Djokovic advanced to a blockbuster US Open showdown with Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday as reigning women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka vaulted into the semi-finals without having to lift her racquet.

Djokovic snuffed out Taylor Fritz’s hopes of becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since 2003 with a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 quarter-final victory on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

The win sent the 38-year-old Serbian, chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam victory, into a mouthwatering semi-final against Spanish second seed Alcaraz on Friday.

Djokovic clinched victory when fourth seed Fritz double-faulted on match point in the 10th game of the final set and could not hide his relief at finally emerging victorious.

“In this kind of match, a few points on either side decide the winner,” he said. “It was an incredibly close match. It was really anybody’s match.”

Fritz was left ruing his failure to make the most of the opportunities that came his way, converting only two of 13 points during an absorbing three-hour 24-minute battle.

The American fourth seed squandered five break points in the opening set that would have made it 5-4, instead allowing Djokovic to wriggle off the hook and take a one-set lead.

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Then, after battling back to break Djokovic to get to 5-5 in the second, Fritz was broken immediately to surrender the initiative.

Djokovic duly held to take a two-set lead, and while Fritz hit back to take the third set, the veteran Serb regrouped to wrap up victory in the next set.

“I thought I was really lucky to save some crucial break points in the second set,” Djokovic said. “I think for most of the second and third sets he was the better player.”

Novak Djokovic will meet Carlos Alcaraz in the last four, with the 22-year-old Spaniard in blistering form.

The five-time Grand Slam champion needed just one hour and 56 minutes to seal a convincing 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka.

Alcaraz has not dropped a set during a relentless march into the semi-finals and was once again in complete control against Lehecka.

“I just played a really, or almost, perfect match,” said Alcaraz, who has won 35 of his last 36 matches since the start of the Italian Open in May.

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“It seems like, OK, just two more steps to do, and let’s see what happens. But yeah, I’m just feeling great and hungry to make it.”

In the women’s draw on Tuesday, world number one and defending champion Sabalenka moved into the semi-finals after Czech quarter-final opponent Marketa Vondrousova pulled out with a knee injury.

Sabalenka, bidding to become the first woman to successfully defend the US Open since Serena Williams completed a hat-trick of titles in 2014, extended sympathy to Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion.

The walkover sets up a repeat of last year’s US Open final in the last four, with Sabalenka facing American fourth seed Jessica Pegula on Thursday.

Pegula reached the semi-finals earlier on Tuesday after a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of unseeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova.

Pegula entered the US Open on the back of a dismal run of form that had seen her make early exits at WTA tournaments in Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati.

But she has rediscovered her confidence while moving stealthily through the rounds at New York, albeit against a series of unseeded opponents.

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Carlos Alcaraz outplayed Hamad Medjedovic to reach the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open here at P&G Centre Court on Tuesday.

The Spaniard moved through hours before an evening rainstorm and lightning spoiled the nighttime scenario, leaving men’s and women’s third-seeded players stranded in third-round matches.

Alexander Zverev was set to serve for the match against Brandon Nakashima, leading the American 6-4, 5-4, when the match was forced off the court by the threat of lightning..

It was a similar situation for American Jessica Pegula, fighting back against Pole Magda Linette, who won the first set 7-6 (7/5), before last year’s finalist claimed the second 6-3.

Toronto champion Ben Shelton never got on court against Roberto Bautista Agut due to rainstorm conditions that forced officials to call it a night early.

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Second seed Carlos Alcaraz kept his exposure to a minimum in 32 Celsius conditions, taking an efficient 95 minutes to dispatch Serb Hamad Medjedovic 6-4, 6-4, for his 50th match win of the year.

“Medjedovic doesn’t like to run that much, so I tried to move him around as much as possible,” Alcaraz said. “But it was difficult with the ball flying so much and his shots coming so fast. I tried to defend in a good way.”

Alcaraz has been on a tear in 2025 as he chases Jannik Sinner in the ATP rankings, and now owns 13 straight victories at the Masters 1000 level.

He will play for the quarter-finals against Luca Nardi after the Italian defeated Jakob Mensik 6-2, 2-1, with the Czech retiring after 42 minutes.

Five-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz, who is preparing for the approaching US Open start, added: “I was really happy to get the win in a very difficult match.

“The season is very long and in at least half of your matches you don’t feel that good (physically).

“But you have to stay positive and play your best tennis on the day. I’m proud about that. It’s a goal of the season.”

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World number two Carlos Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, has withdrawn from next week’s ATP Canadian Open in Toronto to recover from Wimbledon, organizers said on Monday.

The 22-year-old Spaniard lost to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final earlier this month in a bid for his third consecutive crown in the grass-court classic.

“I’m really sad to have to miss the National Bank Open in Toronto,” Alcaraz said in a statement.

“I tried my best to be ready for the tournament as it’s one I really enjoy playing, but it comes just too soon for me as I recover after Wimbledon. I wish the event well and look forward to being back on the Canadian courts next year.”

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Carlos Alcaraz had his best Canada run in 2023, falling to American Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.

“It’s disappointing to lose a player of Carlos’ quality, as we know our fans were looking forward to watching him,” tournament director Karl Hale said.

“Although he has been on the scene for a while, he’s still at the beginning of his career and there will be plenty of opportunities for Canadians to see him again in the future.”

American Sebastian Korda, the world number 33 struggling with a leg injury, and Poland’s 38th-ranked Hubert Hurkacz, fighting a knee injury, have also withdrawn.

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LONDON: Jannik Sinner came from behind to defeat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for his maiden Wimbledon title here on Sunday.

Imperious Sinner battled back to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in three hours and four minutes. With this victory, the Italian No. 01 became a four-time Grand Slam champion.

Jannik Sinner also etched his name into history books, becoming the first Italian to clinch the Wimbledon men’s singles title, while Carlos Alcaraz suffered his first loss in the grand slam after having a perfect 5-0 record.

The Wimbledon 2025 champion Jannik Sinner shifted gears after taking the lead in the final as Carlos Alcaraz threw everything at the Italian. Ultimately, Sinner sealed the trophy with a faultless service game.

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Following the match, Carlos Alcaraz shared his thoughts in the presentation ceremony.

“It is difficult to lose. Always is. First of all, I have to congratulate Jannik [Sinner] once again,” he said.

“[It is] A well-deserved trophy. You are playing great tennis here in London. [Congratulations] To your team as well, a lot of people are here for you. You have an amazing team around you. [I am] Really happy for you and keep it going,” he added.

Two days earlier, Jannik Sinner outplayed Novak Djokovic in the semi-final with straight sets on Friday.

Jannik Sinner demonstrated his dominance after clinching the opening set as the 38-year-old Serbian star looked clueless.

Novak Djokovic was in a bid to reach his seventh successive Wimbledon final; however, the Italian shattered his hopes after dropping only six points on serve.

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LONDON: Jannik Sinner outplayed Novak Djokovic in straight sets to reach his first Wimbledon final clash against arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz here on Friday.

Top seed Sinner will now face Carlos Alcaraz in his maiden final after defeating seven-time champion Djokovic in the final with three straight (6-3, 6-3, 6-4) sets.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz is seeking his third straight Wimbledon singles title in the grand finale this Sunday. Earlier, he won a hard-fought first semi-final against Taylor Fritz.

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Jannik Sinner demonstrated his dominance after clinching the opening set as the 38-year-old Serbian star looked clueless.

Novak Djokovic was in a bid to reach his seventh successive Wimbledon final; however, the Italian shattered his hopes after dropping only six points on serve.

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In the third set of the match, Djokovic briefly turned the tide with 3-0, but Jannik Sinner dashed any hopes of the Serbian star’s comeback.

Following the match, Jannik Sinner expressed his thoughts on reaching his maiden Wimbledon final

“From my side, I served very well today, I felt great on court, I was moving really well today. We saw in the third set that he was a bit injured. He’s been in a very difficult situation, but I tried to stay calm, to play the best tennis I can,” he said.

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Holger Rune crashed out of Wimbledon in the first round on Monday as the Danish eighth seed blew a two-set lead against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry.

Rune was beaten 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 34 minutes on Court Three at the All England Club.

The 22-year-old is yet to make it past the quarter-finals at any of the four Grand Slams, with his best run at Wimbledon ending in the last eight in 2023.

Jarry, ranked 143rd, will face American world number 62 Learner Tien in the second round.

Earlier, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the second round of Wimbledon on Monday.

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Carlos survived a major scare in his Wimbledon opener against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini, battling to a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 win over the 38-year-old.

The first-round clash lasted four hours and 37 minutes in sweltering conditions on Centre Court.

It was first time since Roger Federer narrowly beat Alejandro Falla in 2010 that a defending champion had been taken to a fifth set in the Wimbledon first round.

Alcaraz shrugged off an inconsistent display, including 62 unforced errors, as he refused to wilt on the hottest opening day in Wimbledon history.

Following the victory, Carlos Alcaraz shed light on the challenge of playing in this kind of tournament.

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“First of all, I don’t know why it is probably Fabio’s last Wimbledon because the level he has shown shows he can still play for three or four more years,” Carlos Alcaraz said.

“Playing on Centre Court for the first match of any tournament is never easy. I’ve been practising pretty well and playing on grass really well, but Wimbledon is special and different,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine 6-1, 7-5. The 27-year-old Belarusian is a three-time Grand Slam champion but has never been beyond the semi-finals at the All England Club.

READ: Carlos Alcaraz survives Fognini scare to launch Wimbledon title defence

Carlos Alcaraz survived a major scare in his Wimbledon opener against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini on Monday before coming through in five sets to launch his bid for a third straight title at the All England Club.

Alcaraz battled to a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 win over the 38-year-old Italian in a first-round clash lasting four hours and 37 minutes in sweltering conditions on Centre Court.

It was first time since Roger Federer narrowly beat Alejandro Falla in 2010 that a defending champion had been taken to a fifth set in the Wimbledon first round.

Alcaraz shrugged off an inconsistent display including 62 unforced errors as he refused to wilt on the hottest opening day in Wimbledon history.

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“First of all, I don’t know why it is probably Fabio’s last Wimbledon because the level he has shown shows he can still play for three or four more years,” Carlos Alcaraz said.

“Playing on Centre Court for the first match of any tournament is never easy. I’ve been practising pretty well and playing on grass really well, but Wimbledon is special and different.

“I could feel the difference between Wimbledon and the other tournaments. I just tried to play my best but I would say that I could play better.”

The 22-year-old secured a crucial break in the second game of the deciding set, roaring “vamos” after saving two break points in the next game.

Fognini had given Alcaraz a much sterner test than expected, but the world number 138 ran out of steam as the indefatigable Spaniard once again showcased his final set prowess.

Alcaraz has never lost in a Grand Slam first round in 18 appearances.

Having vanquished Novak Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals, Alcaraz is looking to join an elite group of Wimbledon icons.

His clay-court credentials are firmly established after he fought back from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner in an epic French Open final earlier this month.

Alcaraz is equally dynamic on grass, winning 30 of his 33 Tour-level matches on the surface, with his last defeat at Wimbledon coming against Sinner in the fourth round in 2022.

He is bidding to become the fifth man in the Open Era to win at least three consecutive Wimbledon titles after Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and seven-time champion Djokovic.

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If he achieves that target, Alcaraz would be the second-youngest player in the Open Era to win six Grand Slam men’s titles after Borg, who reached that landmark in 1978.

He will face British qualifier Oliver Tarvet in the second round.

“He is playing great tennis on grass and if he is in the second round of Wimbledon then he is playing at a great level,” Alcaraz said.

“I will try to improve the things that didn’t work today, such as the return and the forehand. Let’s keep enjoying being at Wimbledon as well.”

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