Carlos Alcaraz reaches first grand slam semifinal after marathon, late-night finish against Jannik Sinner
The long-awaited journey of Carlos Alcaraz reached its first long-term triumph.
A one-shot lead against Jannik Sinner, the final of the US$50,000 ($40,000) World No. 2 and the world’s second-ranked player, ended in the first round of a third Grand Slam tournament Wednesday night.
Alcaraz, the third seed, who was the first-round loser in the 2014 US Open, held a comfortable lead throughout after a lengthy opening that included eight service breaks. But Sinner, the fifth seed, clawed back a couple of break points before winning four straight to eventually take control.
It was the first Grand Slam event that Alcaraz has won in over a year (he lost in the 2014 Australian Open), and the only one the 35-year-old native of Puerto Rico has ever won since turning pro in 2011. The victory was only his second Grand Slam title, and the first since the 2013 French Open.
“I’m really happy to (win),” Alcaraz said. “To take this step as far as I did and to win this Grand Slam without the support of the family, without the support of the fans, a big thanks to the sponsors, thank you to my fans for their support.”
The win was the first major title in his tennis career, but the first Grand Slam victory for the two-time U.S. Open champion since he won the U.S. Open last year.
“I guess I’m really excited to have my name in the history books,” he said. “Very happy, very proud of my team.”
Sinner, on the other hand, was excited with his team in general and the fans in particular.
“Carlos Alcaraz, I�
