“Difficult to Stay Calm” – Carlos Alcaraz Reveals How He Overcame the Jannik Sinner Hurricane at US Open 2022 Quarterfinals

In a high-profile match full of drama and controversy, it was Carlos Alcaraz who prevailed. The Spaniard ended Jannik Sinner’s excellent run in this year’s US Open 2022.

Carlos had to work hard to clinch the victory over Sinner on Sunday. It was not an easy task for him as he had to overcome several obstacles in order to win the match. Both players fought hard until the very end, but only one man could emerge victorious from this battle.

The belief that pushed Carlos Alcaraz to fight till the end

Carlos, in his post-match interview, explained how he managed to stay in the present and stay focused. “I always say that you have to believe in yourself all the time,” he said.

The 19-year-old further went on to say, “Hope is the last thing that you lose, you know. Yeah, I just believed in myself and believed in my game. I knew that the close match is really really difficult in this match, in this round. Really difficult to close the match. I had to stay in the match. Trying to stay calm. It’s difficult to stay calm in the match, but obviously, you need to believe in yourself.” 

Alcaraz won in five sets (6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-7 (0/7), 7-5, 6-3) in a marathon match that lasted five hours and fifteen minutes and concluded at 2:50 am local time on Thursday. He will next take on American favorite, Frances Tiafoe, in the quarterfinals on Friday.

A back shot that is worth admiring

Alcaraz is a man of many talents, and he proved it once again in his quarterfinal match against Jannik Sinner at the US Open 2022. The Spaniard was leading in the second set with a set point on his serve when Sinner delivered a strong forehand down the middle. Alcaraz, as always, was ready with a reply, but it wasn’t exactly what anyone expected to see.

READ MORE: ‘I Couldn’t Handle It’ – Carlos Alcaraz Says He Broke Down Mentally in Montreal

Instead of hitting his return straight back with his usual forehand or backhand, Alcaraz decided to go behind the back. The move confused Sinner so much that he had to step in closer to the net after Alcaraz’s shot landed just out of reach of his racquet.

Not one to rest on his laurels (or rely on flashy shots), Alcaraz finished off the point with yet another forehand winner up the line.