Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz reached his first major semi-final after beating Italy’s Jannik Sinner in a US Open thriller. Have a look.
Carlos Alcaraz : vs Jannik Sinner | US Open | Ranking
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (born 5 May 2003) is a Spanish professional tennis player. He has been ranked as high as world No. 4 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
Full name | Carlos Alcaraz Garfia |
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Country (sports) | Spain |
Residence | Villena, Spain |
Born | 5 May 2003 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Turned pro | 2018 |
Alcaraz has won five ATP Tour singles titles, including two Masters 1000 titles, and produced his best Grand Slam performance at the 2022 US Open by reaching the semifinals.
As a junior, Alcaraz was ranked as high as world No. 22 and won two titles on the ITF Junior Circuit.
After turning professional in 2018, he won three titles on the ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour and four on the ATP Challenger Tour and broke into the top 100 in rankings in May 2021.
Two months later, Alcaraz reached his first ATP Tour final at the 2021 Croatia Open, an ATP 250 tournament, where he won his first title.
He later entered the top 50 after reaching the quarterfinals at the following US Open and won the year-end 2021 Next Generation ATP Finals in Milan.
Vs Jannik Sinner
Spanish teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the semi-finals of the US Open on Thursday after defeating Jannik Sinner in a five-set hard-fought thrilling clash.
In a classic encounter that broke the record for the latest finish in tournament history when play ended at 2:50 a.m, Alcaraz outlasted Sinner 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3 in a match that lasted more than five hours and 15-minute.
The battle was the second-longest match in US Open history.
The 19-year-old will face American Frances Tiafoe on Friday in the semi-finals.
Sinner, who hit 11 double faults in the match, served for his place in the semi-final at 5-4 in the fourth set. Although his serve got him out of some trouble, Alcaraz never went away and again battled back onto even terms.
The 21-year-old Sinner then led by a break in the third set, but Alcaraz never went away, continuing to fire with his remarkable power from the baseline. The Spaniard won the final four games of the clash to advance.
Carlos Alcaraz us open
Carlos Alcaraz has left US Open fans stunned after a miraculous behind-the-back shot in his quarter-final clash against Jannik Sinner with the match breaking the record for the latest finish for a men’s tennis match in New York.
The 19-year-old Spaniard took the first set against the Italian in a blockbuster display of baseline rallies and athleticism.
In the second set, Sinner was ahead 6-5 and 30-40 ahead on the Spaniard’s serve when Alcaraz pulled out one of the greatest shots in tennis.
In a remarkable effort, Alcaraz hit the ball behind his back and forced Sinner to make a tough volley.
Alcaraz finished the point off with a backhand winner.
The 19-year-old superstar had the crowd on their feet as the tennis world marvelled at the play.
“Oh, c’mon,” the commentator said.
“Are you kidding. That was out of necessity.”
The behind-the-back shot sent the tennis world into a spin.
Ranking
He has been ranked as high as world No. 4 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
Singles
Highest ranking | No. 4 (1 August 2022) |
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Current ranking | No. 4 (1 August 2022) |
Doubles
Highest ranking | No. 519 (9 May 2022) |
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Current ranking | No. 526 (1 August 2022) |
At the Canadian Open, Alcaraz lost in the second round to Tommy Paul after being up a set and a break.
At the Cincinnati Masters, he lost in the quarterfinals to Cameron Norrie in a match lasting three hours.
Alcaraz came back from a set and a break to win the second set, but lost in the third.
Alcaraz entered the 2022 US Open as the No. 3 seed with a chance to become the youngest world No. 1 after the tournament with reaching the championship match or winning the title.
He defeated Sebastian Baez, Federico Coria and Jenson Brooksby without dropping a set to reach the fourth round.
Next he defeated 15th seed Marin Cilic, becoming the youngest man to reach back-to-back quarterfinals in the Open Era at this Major.