Spanish teen Alcaraz hits hard in upset of Tsitsipas
NEW YORK — Until now, 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz had exhibited enough promise and precociousness to make people think he eventually could succeed Rafael Nadal as Spain’s top tennis player. On Friday at the U.S. Open, with a dramatic five-set victory over No. 3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alcaraz showed why he’s been getting so much attention already.
With a tenacity to match his talent, and boosted by a rowdy Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd a tad tired of Tsitsipas’ penchant for taking lengthy breaks between sets, Alcaraz won 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 0-6, 7-6 (5) in just more than four hours to become the youngest man in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows since a couple of guys named Michael Chang and Pete Sampras in 1989.
“This victory means a lot to me. This is the best match of my career. The best win,” said the 55th-ranked Alcaraz, who was participating in only his 10th Grand Slam contest. “Dream come true for me.”
He made sure during his on-court interview to thank the fans, who are making up for last year’s absence — no spectators were allowed because of the coronavirus pandemic then, but it’s full capacity now — with plenty of noise. They chanted “Let’s go, Carlos!” They rose to their feet for ovations at various points, including just before the concluding tiebreaker, with Alcaraz waving his arms to request, and receive, even more support.
“He can be a contender for Grand Slam titles,” said Tsitsipas, the runner-up at the French Open this year. “He has the game to be there.”
Alcaraz, who became the youngest man to beat a top-three player at a Grand Slam tournament since the ATP computerized rankings started in 1973, showed off so many skills against Tsitsipas. That included big cuts off both wings — so big that this was the assessment offered by Tsitsipas: “I’ve never seen someone hit the ball so hard.”
That was backed up by the stats, none more remarkable than the one showing Alcaraz finished with 45 winners off forehands and backhands, compared with 14 for Tsitsipas.
In the women’s draw, three players with multiple major titles each — Garbiñe Muguruza, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber — pulled out three-set victories to advance to the second week at the year’s final major tournament.
Muguruza got past Victoria Azarenka, a three-time U.S. Open runner-up (including a year ago), 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 and next faces reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova. Kerber, who won the 2016 U.S. Open, defeated 2017 champ Sloane Stephens 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. Halep, a 7-6 (11), 4-6, 6-3 winner over Elena Rybakina, reached thefourth round for the first time since 2016.
In the evening session, No. 3 Naomi Osaka’s bid to repeat as champion in New York came to an end against 18-year-old Leylah Fernandez of Canada, who pulled off a 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-4 upset of the four-time Grand Slam winner.