via Reuters
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning a point against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini | Courtesy: REUTERS/Morgan Sette
via Reuters
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning a point against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini | Courtesy: REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Carlos Alcaraz is on the verge of breaking into the top 20 ranking first time in his career. The 18-years old Spanish international rose to the occasion in the Rio Open and caused the biggest upset by defeating Matteo Berrettini in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Alcaraz has shown great improvements in his plays and reached new highs every season. He is coached by former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, and the developments are obvious to the fans.
Carlos Alcaraz can indeed reach the top 20 with a win tomorrow.
#24 with a loss, #20 with a win
Schwartzman:
#13 with a loss or with a win if Norrie wins
#12 with a win if Norrie loses https://t.co/IoqIax6mQc
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 20, 2022
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Alcaraz is playing in his 2nd Rio Open managed to reach the finals.
Carlos Alcaraz’s run in Rio Open
After losing out in 5 sets to Italian Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open, Alcaraz directly opted for Clay court participation. He was against fellow countryman Jaume Munar in a round of 32. Munar had already defeated him on clay in Marbella last season. But determined Alcaraz made a stunning comeback from 1 set and won the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.
In the 2nd round, Carlos has a fairly easy 2 set win over Argentine Federico Delbonis. The giant Italian was waiting for him as the match got postponed due to heavy rain. But Berrettini couldn’t repeat the Australian open triumph over young Carlos.
Alcaraz Advances 💪💪@alcarazcarlos03 pounds his way through to the semi-finals after a 6-2 2-6 6-2 victory over Berrettini!
He faces Fognini next…#RioOpen pic.twitter.com/2KiFpgZ8Sj
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 19, 2022
A hard-fought 3 setter match again sends Carlos in the Semis. This was his 4th win in 6 matches over top 10 ranked players and 2nd against Berrettini. Semis were scheduled on the same day to cover up the lost days.
In Semi-Final, Alcaraz faced yet another Italian, Fabio Fognini, but the challenge was much easier to overcome. Carlos had 6-2, 7-5 win in the semis and now faces Argentina international Diego Schwartzman in the final.
Quick Rise of Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Circuit
Starting his career in 2018, he made his debut in the ATP circuit in 2020 with Rio Open. After emphatic finals win, the Spaniard got direct entry into the 2021 Australian Open. At the age of 17, he was the youngest entrant for the tournament at that time.
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USA Today via Reuters
Oct 10, 2021; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) reacts after winning a point during in his second round match against Andy Murray (GBR) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
He managed to win his 1st round match but lost to Ymer in the 2nd round. Alcaraz bettered his ranking by reaching the 3rd round of the French Open, while Wimbledon also made it into the 2nd round. But Daniil Medvedev’s challenge proved too much for the young Spaniard on the grass court.
Furthermore, 2021 US Open proved to be a milestone achievement for his career, as he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round and managed to reach the quarterfinals. But leg injury forced him to retire in a quarterfinal match against Felix Auger-Aliassme.
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The constant improvements and wins allowed Carlos to break into the top 35 at the end of the 2021 season. Now with a better Australian Open performance, he is at 29th position in the world ranking.
