MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) (ITALPRESS) – Carlos Alcaraz is the first male Australian Open finalist, the first seasonal Slam in progress on the Melbourne Park cement. The Spanish champion, the first favorite of the board and world leader, folded in the semifinals the German Alexander Zverev, number 3 of the board and ranking Atp, in five sets with the score of 6-4 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-7(4) 7-5, matured in 5 hours and 26 minutes of battle. Vinti i primo due set, Alcaraz accused cramps in the third, asking for medical time-out and unleashing the protests of the rival, who in the fifth and last part did not exploit the service on the 5-4 in his favor.
At 22 and 272 days Alcaraz becomes the youngest in the Open Era to center all the Slam finals, removing the primacy to Jim Courier (22 years and 321 days with age calculated at the end of the tournament). The number one of the world rankings is the fifth Spanish in history to reach the last act of the Major on Earth Down Under after Rafael Nadal (2009, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2022), Juan Gisbert (1968), Andres Gimeno (1969) and Carlos Moya (1997). Eighth final Slam, second Spanish ever behind Nadal (30). Fourth consecutive Major final: it is the seventh in the Open Era to succeed and it is the twelfth to reach the finals in all the Slams. Eighth final Major at less than 23 years: before him only Nadal (8) and Bjorn Borg (8) had succeeded.
And now the second semi-final that will see opposite Jannik Sinner (2), winner of the last two editions of the Australian Slam, and Serbian Novak Djokovic (4), who in career triumphed ten times on the ‘aussie’ cement.
“We must always believe it until the end. It was one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played, even because of the third set cramps. But I knew I had to fight to the last ball. I put my heart on it and I am extremely proud of what I did.” These are the words of Carlos Alcaraz, in the interview in the field, after the incredible victory. “I’m really happy, it’s an incredible goal to play here the final in Melbourne. It’s something I’ve been chasing for a long time. I thank the audience of Rod Laver for bringing me back to life today”, adds the Spanish outclass, number 1 of the world ranking.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
