Alcaraz keeps Spain & Nadal alive in Malaga
When the pressure peaks and the moment demands brilliance, Carlos Alcaraz almost never falters.
The 21-year-old powered past Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3 on Tuesday evening to level Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final tie with the Netherlands at 1-1. After Rafael Nadal, competing in his final tour-level event, had fallen to Botic van de Zandschulp in straight-sets, it was down to Alcaraz to prolong his idol’s career.
VAMOS CARLITOS 🇪🇸 @carlosalcaraz keeps Spain alive, leveling the tie against the Netherlands! 1⃣ – 1⃣@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/XOpAPNPQqf
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
Trailing 2-4 in the first set, Alcaraz turned the match on its head with some typically scintillating tennis. The flawless end to the first set was the second time that Alcaraz won a tie-break 7/0 against Griekspoor in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, which the Spaniard now leads 5-0.
Alcaraz will return to the court alongside Marcel Granollers for the deciding doubles rubber. They will take on Wesley Koolhof, who is also retiring at the end of the event, and Van de Zandschulp.
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