Us Open, Sinner beaten by Alcaraz 3-2

A five-hour and 20-hour marathon, an untapped match point, lots of spectacle and a record-breaking game later in the history of the US Open. Jannik Sinner stops in the quarter-finals after an epic battle against Carlos Alcaraz who wins 6-3 6-7 6-7 7-5 6-3. A pain, but there is good news. Tennis is safe, gentlemen. We can rest assured, retire the phenomena by thanking them for the joys they have given us in the last 20 years. Now we have them, Carlos and Jannik, the new one advancing at double, triple speed and igniting the grandstands and televisions with an epic match that marks the highest moment so far of a rivalry just born but destined to shine. A game that would have put a strain on even the coronary artery of an ultramarathon runner. And it is almost a shame that a match like this should have only one winner, especially since the winner is not Italian and is not called Jannik Sinner. But for this time we have to be content with the battle, the spectacle and the future prospect. For Alcaraz now a semifinal within reach against Frances Tiafoe and the goal of the number 1 that he could grab by winning the tournament or reaching the final without Ruud.

False start

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We need Sinner, the first point is from Alcaraz. He is played immediately at a very high pace. Double foul for Sinner and immediately a break point for Carlitos. Jannik puts a first winner to cancel it. Second double foul and second break ball. This time the tie comes with a nice winner. Third double fault and third break ball, this time the forehand rears up on the tape and Alcaraz sprints ahead 1-0. In the fourth game, double foul by Alcaraz followed by a splendid passer by Sinner who goes on 15-30. A straight from the Spaniard comes out and the Italian has two chances for the counterbreak. On the second, a backhand on the net by Carlos puts the situation back in line, 2-2. In the seventh game, however, everything has to be redone. The South Tyrolean loses his serve and ends up under 4-3, the pupil of Vagnozzi is also discouraged a bit, who again loses his service at 5-3 and yields the set 6-3.

Fireworks

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The second set starts under another sign and in the 3rd game, Sinner sprints ahead by a break. Between furious exchanges and spectacular winners we arrive at the 10th game. The unfortunate tenth game in which the South Tyrolean does not even put a first on the field and allows Carlitos to return. The pace is wild, the Spaniard confirms the break and in the 12th game even saves 4 set points from 0-40 proving that he still has ice in his veins. The tie break is played, Sinner goes forward by a minibreak and at 5-4 he gets started again with the usual second. in the most delicate moment he puts a winning first and goes to set point on Alcaraz’s serve. Carlitos, however, pulls yet another rabbit out of the hat and goes 6-6. This time comes the 5th set point for the teenager. And the reaction of ours is again from phenomenon: ace. The first of the set. Another set point, not even Cahill can do it anymore for the tension. We need Carlitos, Sinner’s winning answer. The second set is of him. We are still alive.

Recovery and overtaking

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Why on earth miss a bit of suffering right away? Sinner has to cancel two break points in the 3rd game, and he does it as always with the champion’s head. But in the 5th the mess happens, with Jannik recovering from 0-40 then conceding another fatal ball to the Spaniard who climbs 3-2. The two continue to push, and in the eighth game Sinner gives the definitive blow by unhinging the Spanish serve and returning to a draw: 4-4 to then win the 3rd game in a row and go 5-4. But in the 11th game he is a patatrac, Sinner loses his serve and sends the other one to serve for the set. Once again he has a phenomenal champion reaction, he resumes his service and goes to the tie break. Alcaraz gets caught up in the heat of his 19 years and doesn’t hit one anymore. Sinner makes him the tie break 7-0 and rises 2-1.

Damn match point

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In the fourth, the pupil of Vagnozzi and Cahill rides the wave of enthusiasm and snatches the joke from Alcaraz. He goes up 3-1 but it’s never over, he gets back up with the counterbreak at 3-3 but, in the 7th game, he breaks the bar again to zero in Alcaraz to go up 4-3, then 5-4. It serves for the match, for the semifinal Jannik Sinner. He goes under 15-30 for the usual jammed serve. Ace for 30-30 and the counterbreak ball for Alcaraz arrives. Ace, 40-40. match point. Canceled. Double foul. Break ball. And Alcaraz returns, snatches his serve and closes the 4th set 7-5. It’s been 4 hours and 20 and the 5th set is played.

No happy ending

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Sinner has hardly any legs left but he has head, and remains attached to the game with what he has and manages to break for the 3-2 in the 5th game. But the serving problems are always there and Alcaraz also has a break point. Driven by what’s left of Arthur Ashe’s audience, Carlitos falls from the drawback. Sinner tries to fight but the 19 year old gets more and more charged. Sinner gives way in the eighth game and Alcaraz goes to serve for the match. He makes no mistake and runs straight into the semifinals.