All posts tagged: carlos alcaraz garfia

Carlos Alcaraz Downs Jannik Sinner To Win Italian Open In Roland Garros Warning

Carlos Alcaraz Downs Jannik Sinner To Win Italian Open In Roland Garros Warning

Published by Webster

Carlos Alcaraz won the Italian Open on Sunday after beating rival Jannik Sinner 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in the final and firing a warning shot for Roland Garros. Alcaraz, who will climb to world number two behind Sinner on Monday, won his third title of the season, eventually dominating Sinner and silencing the over 10,000 fans packed into the centre court stands. The Spaniard claimed victory in his fourth final of the season and sent a message to the rest of the men’s tour for the French Open, where he will defend the title once it starts next weekend. “Beating Jannik and winning in Rome, I think both things mixed together give you a great confidence coming to Paris,” said Alcaraz. “I’m going to enjoy this moment with my family, with my team, friends that came from home. And a few days rest just to realise what I’ve achieved, that is important as well. And then my focus is on Roland Garros.” Sinner tops the world rankings but his 26-match winning streak was ended …

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Italian Open Final And Potential Jannik Sinner Showdown

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Italian Open Final And Potential Jannik Sinner Showdown

Published by Webster

Carlos Alcaraz set up a potential blockbuster Italian Open final with Jannik Sinner after coming through Friday’s semi-final with home hope Lorenzo Musetti a straight-sets winner, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz overcame Musetti and windy conditions in just over two hours to reach his fourth final of the season ahead of the French Open which gets underway later this month. Alcaraz now awaits the result of Sinner’s last-four clash with Tommy Paul later on Friday to see if he will get the showdown tennis fans around the world want to see. World number one Sinner is red-hot favourite to beat American Paul after dumping out Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud on Thursday with an astonishing display of tennis. “Both players are playing great. Everybody saw the game against Casper,” said Alcaraz, who might again have to face down a partisan centre court crowd on Sunday. “Let’s see. If I’m going to play against Tommy Paul, I have to be ready for that. If I play against Jannick, I have to …

Carlos Alcaraz Sails Past Jack Draper, Enters Italian Open Semi-Finals

Carlos Alcaraz Sails Past Jack Draper, Enters Italian Open Semi-Finals

Published by Webster

Carlos Alcaraz strode into the semi-finals of the Italian Open on Wednesday after putting in a powerful display to down Jack Draper in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Third seed Alcaraz will face one of reigning Rome champion Alexander Zverev and home hope Lorenzo Musetti, the day’s final pairing on centre court, in the last four at the Foro Italico. His impressive win over Draper kept alive his chances of a third title of the season and also moved him up to number two in the world rankings behind Jannik Sinner. The Spaniard also bagged a top-two seeding at the French Open which begins later this month, but in the meantime the four-time Grand Slam winner continues his bid for a first Rome crown. Alcaraz had to be at his best to down fifth seed Draper, who put in another strong showing on clay in Italy after losing the Madrid Open final to Casper Ruud. Draper was trying to become the first British man to reach the last four in the Italian capital since …

Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev March Into Italian Open Last 16

Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev March Into Italian Open Last 16

Published by Webster

Carlos Alcaraz joined reigning Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev in the last 16 in Rome after seeing off Laslo Djere 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 on centre court on Sunday. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz reached the fourth round at the Foro Italico for the first time after a battle with spirited Djere. In the next round, Alcaraz will face Karen Khachanov who knocked out Italian wild card entrant Francesco Passaro 6-3, 6-0. Alcaraz was playing in his second match since suffering a thigh injury in his Barcelona Open final defeat by Holger Rune last month. And the Spaniard was not at his best against Djere whose three career tournament wins have all come on clay, his most recent title in March, at the Chile Open in Santiago. The 22-year-old was broken twice in the first set which looked like going either way until he took control in the eventual tie-break, before sweeping Djere aside in the second. Zverev meanwhile barely broke a sweat against Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas, easing to a 6-4, 6-0 win …

Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka Cruise To Wins At Italian Open

Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka Cruise To Wins At Italian Open

Published by Webster

Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his bid for a first Italian Open title by cruising past Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-3 in Rome on Friday. World number three Alcaraz got past Lajovic in one hour and 23 minutes on his return to action following a thigh injury suffered in his Barcelona Open final defeat to Holger Rune last month. The Spaniard showed some signs of ring rustiness with 22 unforced errors but still managed to win the first four games of the match to give Lajovic too much to do in the first set. And Alcaraz closed out the match in professional style with another quick start in the second set which put him three games ahead, allowing him to serve out for the win. “Today was a really good day in the office, hopefully tomorrow and Sunday is going to be better,” said Alcaraz. “Of course I tried to make the most of my time when I’m not playing tournaments I always try to find the positive things… I could stay at …

Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws From Madrid Open With Injury

Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws From Madrid Open With Injury

Published by Webster

Carlos Alcaraz in action© AFP World number three Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open on Thursday with a thigh injury, in a blow for his French Open title defence preparations. The Spaniard, a four-time Grand Slam winner, sustained the problem during his Barcelona Open final defeat last Sunday by Holger Rune. “I did everything that was in my hands but it didn’t improve a lot over the (last few) days,” Alcaraz told a news conference. “Things didn’t work out as I wanted to be able to play here, and we have decided not to take risks. “If I played, I was going to be messed up for longer than expected… hard decisions had to be made, and I think we made the right one.” Alcaraz was hoping to lift the trophy in Madrid for the third time after his 2022 and 2023 victories. The 21-year-old had not trained all week after arriving in the Spanish capital on Monday.  The Spaniard did not rule out competing in the Italian Open and said he …

Carlos Alcaraz Stunned By Belgian Veteran David Goffin In Miami

Carlos Alcaraz Stunned By Belgian Veteran David Goffin In Miami

Published by Webster

World number three Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit from the Miami Open on Friday as Belgian veteran David Goffin fought back for an inspired 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday. The 34-year-old Goffin beat Alcaraz three years ago in Astana in their last meeting and sensing the Spaniard was far from his best in the opening set, he went on the attack. The 55th-ranked Goffin, whose world ranking reached No.7 in 2017, struck some glorious winners while Alcaraz was struggling with unforced errors. The slightly built Goffin was up by a break in all three sets but having let Alcaraz recover in the first he showed poise and calm to stay on top. “It’s that kind of night that I will remember for sure — against Carlos and in a stadium like that. And the night that gave me a lot of confidence to continue,” Goffin said. Alcaraz was blunt in his assessment of his performance. “In general, it was a poor level from me, I didn’t …

Carlos Alcaraz Says ‘Doesn’t Support’ Novak Djokovic-Backed Lawsuit

Carlos Alcaraz Says ‘Doesn’t Support’ Novak Djokovic-Backed Lawsuit

Published by Webster

Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz pushed back on a lawsuit against the ATP Tour filed by the Novak Djokovic-led tennis players union on Wednesday, saying he does not support the move. The Spaniard world number three, speaking ahead of the Miami Open, said he had not been given any notice of the legal case from the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) or the strongly-worded statement issued on Tuesday. “Honestly, it was surprising for me, because nobody told me nothing about it, so I was just, yesterday, I saw in the social media,” Alcaraz said. The PTPA filing cites an Alcaraz quote from a press conference in which he criticised the tour schedule and the player said he was not aware of that decision. “I saw that there were some statements that they put something that I said in press conference, which I didn’t know. I don’t support that letter, that, I don’t support that, because, as I said, I didn’t know anything about it,” he added. Alcaraz said he had mixed opinions about the …

Carlos Alcaraz Sets Eyes On Indian Wells Three-Peat, Begins Title Defence With A Bang

Carlos Alcaraz Sets Eyes On Indian Wells Three-Peat, Begins Title Defence With A Bang

Published by Webster

Carlos Alcaraz in action at Indian Wells.© AFP Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz launched his bid for a rare Indian Wells three-peat with a bang on Saturday, racing into the third round with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over France’s Quentin Halys. The four-time Grand Slam winner from Spain is vying to join Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the only players to win three straight Indian Wells ATP Masters titles. He admitted he was feeling some nerves to start the match, but they evaporated amid a strong all-around performance. One early break staked Alcaraz to the first set, and he roared to a 4-0 lead in the second behind a formidable service display. He finished with seven aces and saved the only break point he faced, securing the win in 67 minutes. Since his quarter-final exit at the Australian Open Alcaraz has captured the title in Rotterdam, where he shook off a cold to claim the first indoor trophy of his career. At No. 3 the Spaniard is the highest-ranked player left in …

Carlos Alcaraz Beats Martin Cilic Then Takes On NBA’s Jimmy Butler

Carlos Alcaraz Beats Martin Cilic Then Takes On NBA’s Jimmy Butler

Published by Webster

Carlos Alcaraz with NBA star Jimmy Butler© AFP After Carlos Alcaraz dispatched Martin Cilic in the opening round of the Qatar Open on Monday he lingered on court to play a few balls with a spectator – NBA star Jimmy Butler. Alcaraz took his time to find his rhythm on a windy night but eventually overcame veteran Croatian 6-4, 6-4, then took on Butler. The 35-year-old guard, recently traded to the Golden State Warriors, opted not to stay by the Bay while it hosted Sunday’s National Basketball Association All-Star Game. Instead he flew to the Gulf and was in the crowd to see Alcaraz win. Butler then came on court. Both men donned microphones as they put on a short show for fans. Butler even attempted to return an Alcaraz lob with a between-the-legs shot – but missed. Against the 36-year-old Cilic, Alcaraz was stronger at the pivotal moments. The first set turned on an 18-minute seventh game which ended with Alcaraz gaining the service break he needed. In the second set, Alcaraz …