©CARL DE SOUZA / AFP
World number three Carlos Alcaraz edged closer to an Olympic Games showdown against Novak Djokovic on Thursday with a storming display which brought the queen of Spain to her feet.
Alcaraz, playing on the same Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros where he captured the French Open in June, saw off 13th-ranked Tommy Paul of the United States 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).
The 21-year-old Alcaraz recovered from a break down in the second set to defeat Paul, having also beaten the American in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon on his way to the title at the All England Club last month.
In the second set tie-break, when he had to save a set point, the tension was too much even for Queen Letizia, who cut a nervous figure courtside before joining in a rousing standing ovation for her crowd-pleasing compatriot.
Carlos Alcaraz expressed that it was all about the fight after playing the day following a heartbreaking doubles loss with Rafael Nadal, likely the veteran's final appearance at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz noted feeling a bit tired from the previous day's emotions but emphasized that he gave everything on the court. He acknowledged having to play with intensity against Tommy, a great athlete, and despite his fatigue, he remembered he was playing for both his country and himself.
The Spanish star will face either Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the gold medal match.
Top seed Djokovic, in the other half of the draw, tackles Stefanos Tsitsipas in his quarter-final later Thursday.
With AFP
Alcaraz, playing on the same Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros where he captured the French Open in June, saw off 13th-ranked Tommy Paul of the United States 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).
The 21-year-old Alcaraz recovered from a break down in the second set to defeat Paul, having also beaten the American in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon on his way to the title at the All England Club last month.
In the second set tie-break, when he had to save a set point, the tension was too much even for Queen Letizia, who cut a nervous figure courtside before joining in a rousing standing ovation for her crowd-pleasing compatriot.
Carlos Alcaraz expressed that it was all about the fight after playing the day following a heartbreaking doubles loss with Rafael Nadal, likely the veteran's final appearance at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz noted feeling a bit tired from the previous day's emotions but emphasized that he gave everything on the court. He acknowledged having to play with intensity against Tommy, a great athlete, and despite his fatigue, he remembered he was playing for both his country and himself.
The Spanish star will face either Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the gold medal match.
Top seed Djokovic, in the other half of the draw, tackles Stefanos Tsitsipas in his quarter-final later Thursday.
With AFP
This Is Beirut
Comments