History is on the move. It is not so often that the quest for a first major title is coupled with that of accession to the throne of the ATP, in a single match. And it is even rarer that this scenario concerns not only one of the two finalists, but both.
Alcaraz, the new darling of the public
This is what will happen on Sunday, September 11, in New York, with the final of the US Open which will oppose the Norwegian Casper Ruud to the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
The latter, 4th player in the world at 19, and who was 2 years old when his compatriot Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam at Roland-Garros in 2005, won his ticket for his first Major final by beating, on Friday evening, Frances Tiafoe in four sets, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (7-5), 6-3.
After a tight first set during which the American showed himself conqueror and ended up winning in the tie-break, Alcaraz took things in hand to dominate his opponent despite being carried by the New York public who made it his new favorite. The Spaniard won the next two sets quite easily, before quickly breaking Tiafoe in the fourth set.
“We have to fight until the end on the court”
Courageous, the American caught up and even saved a match point at 5-4 on a cushioning love. In his tracks, he won the fourth set in the tie-break at 6 points to 5 on his first set point. But in the final round, Alcaraz quickly reprinted his rhythm to stay ahead despite exchanges of services between the two players. The Spaniard finally won 6-3, not without seeing Tiafoe save two more match points.
“We have to give everything and fight to the end on the court”, explained the future finalist who gives the example perfectly, without forgetting to congratulate the combativeness of his opponent of the day.
The two men also warmly embraced after the 4:20 fight. For Tiafoe, 24 years old and 26th in the world, the adventure ends there but the surprise of the tournament will have carried his determination and his pleasure to play until the end to offer himself in particular on his road Rafael Nadal in eighth then Andrey Rublev in quarters.