Savage for the memory of Alcaraz in Paris
Paris could not expect less Carlos Alcarazwho had already made history with an impossible comeback against the Italian Jannik Sinner in the final of Roland Garros 2025. Two sets against, three match balls, but his survival instinct, character, quality, ended up taking him to ecstasy, to the Musketeers Cup.
At the other end of the French capital, at the antipodes of the clay near the Bois de Boulogne, in a more hostile element, the ‘indoor’ and a really fast surface, perhaps the fastest of the entire season, another savagery from the Spaniard, 23 years old and world No. 3.
A feat that would very well have been signed in his talisman city Rafa Nadal. He has a great successor, capable of lifting two match balls in the Paris Masters 1000 ATPsave a match in which he had lost his compass after having missed many opportunities against an expeditious rival, in his element.
Alcaraz’s faith and differential quality combined with the pressure that the American felt Taylor Fritz 29 years old and number 12, in favor of the Murcian. A kick unleashed the Murcian and drove the public crazy who allied themselves with him in favor of the feat.
Carlos Alcaraz signed it, he won 6-7 (10-12), 7-5 and 6-3 in 2h.43′. To his first semi-finals in an event that seemed destined to be ‘jinxed’ also in his sixth participation. The recent champion of the ATP 500 in Vienna was born for great nights like this, which was also unforgettable for his teammate Rafa Jodar.
The man from Madrid was the indirect beneficiary of the Murcian superhero. It was seen outside the ATP Finals in Turin in favor of Taylor Fritz. Alcaraz gave him the victory necessary for Jódar to be in the Masters Cup, from November 15 to 22, in his first professional season.
Alcaraz raised a ‘match-ball’ with 3-5 thanks to a forehand hit to the limit. He then raised the second with a passing. He also achieved the ‘break’, returning to balance. He connected with the stands, it was a party, also an ordeal for Fritz. A 5-0 run put the team from El Palmar on the road to victory.
He regained control that he had not certified with results in the opening set: he had 5-4 and served for a set, in the tiebreak he had three set points. There was no way to seal the advantages, getting into a spiral of errors that lasted until the TKO was reached.
He rebelled, and in what way. It was magical, the suspense lasted until Alcaraz finished his feat. This Saturday, not before 5 pm, duel with the Norwegian Casper Ruud, who beat the Portuguese 7-6 (5) and 6-4 Nuno Borges.
Alcaraz improved his 2022 quarters in this ‘indoor’ in Paris, winning for the seventh time in eight duels against Taylor Fritz. He is on a streak, seventh victory in a row, which helped him overcome the bad moments, hold on to the impossible, which was possible. And Jódar will be the seventeenth Spaniard to play in the ATP Finals, the final Masters.
