Within the first ATP H2H assembly between high seed Novak Djokovic and residential favorite Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spaniard prevailed in an exhilarating three-set battle.
The seventh seed got here from behind to beat the three-time former champion 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5) in three hours and 35 minutes on Manolo Santana Stadium on Saturday to succeed in the Mutua Madrid Open closing.
Novak took the primary set, however Alcaraz bounced again within the second. The Subsequent Gen ATP World Tour Finals titlist secured the win by clinching a 3rd set tie-break.
The standard of tennis was completely sensational. The competition was a decent affair all through. Wonderful rallies and gorgeous factors saved the spectators on the sting of their seats.
Alcaraz produced one other spectacular show at La Caja Mágica as he got here again from a set all the way down to prevail over the 20-time Grand Slam winner, changing into the primary ever participant to defeat each Djokovic and Nadal on the identical event on clay.
“He held his nerves very nicely. For someone of his age to play so maturely and courageously is spectacular. He deserved to win,” Novak stated.
Match statistics: aces (8-4), double faults (2-4), winners (24-51), unforced errors (31-57), whole factors gained (131-134).
Defending champion Alexander Zverev (GER, 2) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE, 4) will shut out the day’s play within the second semi-final conflict.
Subsequent competitors for Novak would be the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Could 8-15).
The five-time former titlist reached semi-finals on the Rome Masters final yr, when he suffered a 6-7, 3-6 defeat to Rafael Nadal.
The Italian Open would be the final warm-up occasion main into the Roland Garros. The second Grand Slam event of the season takes place in Paris (Could 22 to June 5).
Picture: Profimedia
