Brilliant Alcaraz stuns Medvedev at ATP Finals to win Red Group, sets up semi-final against Djokovic
The Spaniard surged into the last four in Turin, while Medvedev will play Jannik Sinner in the semis
© Chryslène Caillaud / Panoramic
Carlos Alcaraz showed he is right back to his best as he beat Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4 at the ATP Finals in Turin on Friday, a win that ensured top spot in his group and sent him surging into the semi-finals.
The 20-year-old Spaniard served brilliantly, played smartly and outplayed Medvedev in every area of the game as he wrapped up victory in just one hour, 19 minutes.
He is the youngest ATP Finals semi-finalist since Rafael Nadal made the last four in 2006.
Alcaraz will now finish top of the Red Group and will play world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, while Medvedev, who won his first two matches in the group, will take on home favourite Jannik Sinner, who topped the Green Group with three wins out of three.
“I think the most important thing I did today was stay strong mentally,” he said.. “A few games with mys erve I was struggling a little bit and he pushed so much pressure on my serve, so staying calm mentally was the key to give myself a chance.”
One break gives Alcaraz first set
Outplayed in his opening match defeat by Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz had improved markedly in his win over Andrey Rublev on Wednesday and he took things up another level in an outstanding first set.
The fast court, which has looked like it might be too much for him on day two, seemed far more to his liking as he took the match to Medvedev from the start, mixing power with touch, heavy forehands with deft drop shots.
Medvedev, already qualified for the semi-finals thanks to two wins out of two, had two chances to break early on at 2-1, 15-40 but Alcaraz shut the door with some big serving and typically bold play.
At 3-3, the Spaniard then lifted his game up a couple of notches, thanks initially to a stunning running forehand pass on the opening point of the game that had the crowd gasping and then through a brilliant backhand return for a winner to seal the first break.
With Medvedev standing deep, as always, Alcaraz served and volleyed a couple of times to good effect and he held the advantage to take the first set.
Alcaraz maintains his advantage to win the group
Alcaraz had two break points in the third game of the second set, but missed a backhand and then made a mess of a forehand as Medvedev escaped, to stay on serve.
The Spaniard didn’t let it bother him, though, maintaining a superb rhythm on his own serve and continually asking questions of the Russian. Every time he had the chance to come forward he did, showing off his ability at the net with a series of sound volleys.
Medvedev had a half chance at 4-3, 15-30, but Alcaraz saved himself and then, in the next game, moved to 15-40 with more brilliant play, and a wild forehand drive volley from Medvedev. The Russian saved the first one but double-faulted on the second to put Alcaraz 5-4 up and he served out to love to seal the win.
Alcaraz excited by challenge of playing Djokovic
Alcaraz against Djokovic will be a repeat of the Wimbledon final, which the Spaniard won, and the 20-year-old said he was looking forward to it.
“It’s one of the most difficult challenges I’m going to face, facing Novak in the ATP Finals, a tournament he’s won six times,” Alcaraz said. “Novak is Novak, he’s the best player in the world right now, he lost just six matches this year, he’s unbelievable. I’m going to put my best tennis and enjoy myself, the way I’ve been doing the past matches. I’m excited to play Novak.”
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