MADRID, 2 Apr. (SportsFinding) –
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz will play in Miami the first Masters 1,000 final in its history after beating defending champion Hubert Hurkacz (7-6(5), 7-6(2)) in the semifinals this morning, and will seek his first trophy in the category against the Norwegian Casper Ruud.
The Murcian, who warned in Indian Wells by only giving up in the semifinals against Rafa Nadal, has made history by becoming the second youngest finalist in the American tournament at 18 years and 333 days, only behind, precisely, the Balearic (2005, 18 years and 304 days), and the third to play a Masters 1,000 final (after Manacor and after Michael Chang in Toronto 1990, at 18 years and 157 days).
The new show of temperance and hierarchy of the tennis player from El Palmar will allow him to climb to at least number three in the Race to Turin and up to number 12 in the ATP ranking, which could be up to number two and 11, respectively, if he manages to win on Sunday and become the first Spaniard to lift the trophy in Miami -Nadal, David Ferrer, Carlos Moyà and Sergi Bruguera were finalists-.
“I have a lot of emotions right now. It’s something you dream of when you’re a kid. It’s great to be in the final here in Miami. I’m going to approach the final like a first round, trying to mask my nerves. I’m going to enjoy it, I’m going to be a great final,” said Alcaraz.
In an unprecedented duel against Hurkacz, Alcaraz saved a ‘break’ against at 3-4 and later wasted two break chances at 5-5, which led to the first ‘tie-break’ of the match being played. Despite being 3-5 down, the Murcian did not despair and won the last four mini-points to win the first set.
In the second, he again failed to convert a break chance in his first game to return and survived two chances from the Pole at 5-5. Sudden death decided again, and once again the Spaniard, with no unforced errors and two winning shots, emerged victorious.
Now, Alcaraz aspires to become the youngest champion in the 37-year history of the tournament against Norwegian Casper Ruud, who defeated Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo in the other semifinal (6-4, 6-1). Among them will emerge an unprecedented champion in Miami.