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Carlos Alcaraz's idyll at the Rio Open presented by Claro is gaining more and more strength. The 2022 champion added his eighth win in the tournament, but this time with a large dose of drama and fun combined that revealed his connection with the Brazilian public.
In a rematch of their semifinal from last year's edition, Alcaraz prevailed 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 against Italian Fabio Fognini to seal his return to the quarterfinals and to reach a record of 6-0 in the season, in which he already added a title last week in Córdoba.
“It was really difficult. Both Fabio and I played at such a high level, there were great points, great shots,” Alcaraz said after the game, later admitting to feeling tired but ready for more. “It is incredible to play these types of matches.
I would say we both played almost 100 percent." Alcaraz led 3-0 in the first set and had two break points to make it 4-0, but Fognini reacted with some spectacular tennis. And although he couldn't nail down when he served for the set at 5-4, the Italian continued to shine in the tie-break.
Even in moments of pressure, like this one at 4/5 when he brought out the magic in him. “I had a bit of a problem with my serve after I had a lot of control in the match. But there were a lot of service breaks in a row,” Alcaraz said of the eventful first set.
“I got a bit depressed at the time and it was hard to come back after that. But I know that a tennis match is very long. I was going to have my chances to improve the game with my serve and I think I did." The numbers don't let him lie.
In the last two sets he only lost serve once, when he led 3-0 and with a break up the third set. But he had no major repercussions. The Murcian kept the advantage he had left and quickly moved towards his second win against the Italian, against whom he now has a 2-0 record.
But in addition to great shots, Alcaraz also starred in a memorable moment of sportsmanship after Fognini went down hitting a drop shot.
Carlos Alcaraz is currently in Brazil
One of Carlos Alcaraz's favorite things to do, apart from tennis, is playing chess.
“I love chess. Having to concentrate, to play against someone else, strategy, having to think ahead. I think all of that is very similar to the tennis court," Carlos Alcaraz said. "You have to intuit where the other player is going to send the ball, you have to move ahead of time and try to do something that will make him uncomfortable. So I play it a lot”.