World number 2 Carlos Alcaraz reaches his tenth ATP final at 19 years and nine months. Carlos beat Nicolas Jarry 6-7, 7-5, 6-0 in the Rio semifinal after two hours and 42 minutes, moving one win away from defending the title and 500 ATP points.
Alcaraz will face Cameron Norrie in the title match, the same rival he defeated in Buenos Aires last week. If the teenager wins the title, he will match Novak Djokovic’s 6,980 ATP points, though he won’t be able to surpass the Serb, who has better results in notable events.
Jarry threw everything he had in his arsenal against the world number 2 in the first two sets, sending bombs off his serve and forehand and getting close to the finish line. However, he suffered a tear late in the second set and walked off the court, allowing Carlos to land a clawing blow in the decider and seal victory in style.
The Spaniard played better after second serve and saved four of five break points. Alcaraz created six break chances and converted five to dominate the crucial points and stay on the title track. Jarry got off to a reliable start, with four dominant service games and an early break.
Carlos wasted a match point in the second game and suffered a tear after a forced error. The Chilean kept everything under control in his service games and carved out a 5-2 lead after another good service turn. The Spaniard cut the deficit to 5-3 with a dropshot winner and had one more chance to extend the action.
Jarry collapsed under pressure and suffered a break while serving for the set after Alcaraz’s backhand cross winner. Both players served well in the remaining three games to introduce a tie break. Nicolás got two early mini-breaks to make it 3-0 and forced Carlos’ mistake with a strong return to take a 5-1 lead.
Alcaraz is already a sporting phenomenon
Carlos Alcaraz was late to the party this season, having missed the 2023 Australian Open due to injury. “I have a special affection here in Rio. The public supported me a lot. My moments on the court in Rio were spectacular and today was proof of that,” Carlos Alcaraz said after his semifinal match win against Nicolas Jarry.
“I think people want to see joy, incredible shots,” Carlos Alcaraz said, “I don’t think about being the player people want to see after the Big 3, I just want to be who I am and transmit joy on the court.”
