By Ricky Dimon
Carlos Alcaraz endured three consecutive five-set matches en path to his U.S. Open title, together with two that ended after 2:00 within the morning.
However one stood out among the many relaxation. Alcaraz’s quarterfinal thriller in opposition to Jannik Sinner–which the eventual champion received 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3–lasted 5 hours and quarter-hour and resulted within the latest-ever end in match historical past (2:50 am). As wealthy in high quality because it was in size, Alcaraz-Sinner is broadly thought of to be the match of the 12 months and top-of-the-line matches in U.S. Open historical past.
“I might say it was the very best match I’ve performed in my complete profession,” the Spaniard assessed. “At 5 hours and quarter-hour, from the primary ball to the final, there was immense high quality from each Jannik and me. Jannik and I’ll bear in mind this for the remainder of our lives.”
“Final night time between Sinner and Alcaraz was in all probability top-of-the-line matches I’ve seen in a very long time,” Patrick Mouratoglou commented.
Patrick McEnroe mentioned on air that he would put it “on the prime” of his all-time U.S. Open record, and he additionally took to Twitter, saying it was “unbelievable tennis in each attainable manner.”
Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’s coach, mirrored on the epic battle a number of days later after the match had come to an finish. Ferrero was requested if that is the beginning of a “Carlos Alcaraz period.”
“The opposite day I mentioned to somebody within the press that possibly Sinner and Carlos may dominate the tour for possibly the subsequent 10 years–[based on] what I noticed, the extent that I noticed the opposite day. In fact there [are] one other gamers like Zverev, Thiem, Casper, Tsitsipas…. They’re going to be there; they will have alternatives to win Grand Slams, for certain. However with all respect, that’s what I believe.”
Ferrero is a former world No. 1, himself, and has now guided Alcaraz to the highest spot. Sinner, 21, is as much as eleventh within the rankings and can be ninth if Wimbledon had awarded rating factors.
Solely time will inform if Ferrero’s proclamation comes true, however one factor’s for certain: the longer term is now.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You’ll be able to comply with him on twitter at @Dimonator.
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