Alcaraz, Ruud chase first slams after narrow wins
CARLOS Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe engaged in a high-level, high-energy spectacle in a five-set semifinal at the US Open yesterday — no point over when it seemed to be, no ball out of reach, no angle too audacious.
But it was Spain’s Alcaraz who surged into his first Grand Slam final — and, in the process, gave himself a chance to become No 1 at age 19 — by ending USA rookie Tiafoe’s run with a 6-7 (6) 6-3 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-3 victory. ‘‘It’s amazing to be able to fight for big things,’’ Alcaraz said. ‘‘You have give everything on court. Frances gave everything on court.’’
Alcaraz appeared to seize control by grabbing nine of 10 games in one stretch and could have ended the evening when he held a match point in the fourth set. But Tiafoe, who is ranked 26th, saved it and soon was yelling, with some colourful language mixed in for emphasis, ‘‘I’m putting my heart on the line!’’ Soon after that, Tiafoe was