BARCELONA OPEN BANC SABADELL Alcaraz never gives up

It was a simple ball, a right that only had to cross the net, but De Minaur did not hit to win. A point that would have given him the game, at the end of the second set, but that Alcaraz managed to lift with a spectacular passing. The Murcian suffered in the first two sets, a victim of his mistakes and a prisoner of always wanting to hurry up the winning shots as much as possible. Disoriented, nervous, it was not his best day… But he resisted. 3 hours and 40 minutes to defeat De Miñaur in a match with final touches (6-7, 7-6 and 6-4) in which the Australian planted battle. A suffering for the tennis players, a delight for the fans, who will witness a Spanish final. Alcaraz and Carreño will meet at 5:30 p.m. to achieve their first Godó.

“Bad decision after bad decision” shouted Alcaraz one point from losing the first set. He had just missed a simple forehand, with de Miñaur sold, in a tie-break that started from behind. A good summary of what the first manga was, where heUnforced errors hurt the Spaniard a lot. The match started on Saturday (2-2) and continued on Sunday morning on a central court with less public than usual, but which filled up as the hours passed.

Both De Miñaur and Alcaraz dominated with their serve, but the Australian always looked much more comfortable. The one from El Palmar saved a key break to get 3-3, but he was not comfortable. His usual drops were only effective when they were perfect., because De Miñaur had no trouble running forward. The winning blows, in addition, did not enter. Whenever Alacaraz extended the point they increased his options, but he almost always decided to finish it as soon as possible. It’s his style and when those balls go in Alcaraz is a cyclone. Against De Miñaur it was not the case. He saved two set points to avoid 5-7 but could do nothing in the tie-break.

In the second Alcaraz continued with the fuss, constantly talking with Ferrero, without being seen at all comfortable on the track. Neither playing nor between the points. De Miñaur, more concentrated, continued to his own: winning with his serve and fighting in the rest. Until the first break came. The Australian went up 5-4 and served to win the match, but Alcaraz didn’t let him. He answered with his first break at just the right moment, in one of the best games of the match, to lengthen the match a little more. At 5-5, however, he again suffered the unspeakable. He saved two breaks and wasted several game balls. He couldn’t with the third. 6-5 and serve for De Miñaur, who made it 40-15 with two match points. But doubts entered the Australian. Unforced errors, double fault… And I play for Alcaraz. In the tie-break, despite starting from behind, he took out his best shots, very tight, and took the set.

The third started with better feelings for Alcaraz. The first game lasted 20 minutes, but the Spaniard broke his serve. To the fourth, after saving several De Miñaur advantages, but taking the lead in the set. And he confirmed it in the next one. 2-0 in two marathon games, but that put the game in the face of Alcaraz. Despite this, the one from Sydney did not give up. He kept his service and break with a blank game for 3-3. They returned to the starting box.

But Carlos Alcaraz was another in the third and final set. Much more comfortable and less tired than his rival, he broke his serve again to serve and win the match (5-4). And he gave no choice. Blank game and the final in your pocket.