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Carlos Alcaraz is preparing for the Australian Open title chase, entering the draw as the 2nd seed behind Novak Djokovic. The 20-year-old Spaniard will seek his third major trophy at Melbourn Park, having already conquered the US Open and Wimbledon.
Asked about the Wimbledon trophy, Alcaraz admitted he keeps it in his living room, looking at it whenever he spends time with his family and friends. Carlos played only his fourth tournament on grass at The All England Clubb, heading to Wimbledon as the Queen’s champion.
The young gun mastered the fastest surface nicely, beating six rivals and setting the title clash against a seven-time winner, Novak Djokovic. Carlos and Novak embraced a memorable final, and the Spaniard prevailed 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in four hours and 42 minutes, becoming the third-youngest Wimbledon champion.
It was a memorable duel in windy conditions, with two rivals giving everything to emerge at the top.
Carlos Alcaraz keeps his Wimbledon trophy in the living room.
Carlos fired 66 winners and 45 unforced errors, playing aggressive tennis and edging Novak by a single point!
The encounter saw 34 break points, with five return games for each. The defending champion made a reliable start, taking the opener in no time and creating a set point for a massive two sets to love lead. However, Novak’s backhand let him down, and it would cost him dearly.
Carlos controlled the pace in the third set and started all over in the decider, breaking Novak’s resistance with an early break and celebrating his second Major title at 20. Djokovic was the only player on the court in the opener, delivering two early breaks and holding at love in game seven with a smash winner for 6-1 after 34 minutes.
They served well in the second set and introduced a tie break, with the young gun feeling the pressure. Novak led 3-0 before Carlos bounced back to 5-5. Djokovic passed Alcaraz at the net in the 11th point, creating a set point for a considerable advantage.
The Serb missed a routine backhand and sprayed another similar error at 6-6. Carlos seized a set point with a backhand down the line return winner, leveling the overall score after two hours. Novak lost the ground in the third set, spraying many unforced errors and losing serve three times.
Alcaraz led 3-1 when they embraced a legendary game that went on for 27 minutes! It brought 13 deuces, Novak’s game points and Carlos’ seven break chances. Alcaraz grabbed the final one, gaining an enormous boost and firing a backhand down the line winner at 5-1 to open two sets to one advantage.
Djokovic took an extended break and made a fresh start in set number four, using his vast experience. The defending champion saved two break points in the second game, ending his downfall and gaining momentum.
Novak broke Carlos at 2-2 and secured another return game at 5-3 after the rival’s double fault, forcing a decider after nearly four hours. They missed a break point in games one and two before Carlos delivered a break in game three after an unbelievable point and a backhand down the line winner.
The Spaniard landed an ace for 4-2 and served for the title in game ten. The young gun earned a match point with a service winner and converted it with a forced error, celebrating his second Major title two months after turning 20.
