By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Teenage tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz from Spain continued his magical run in the ongoing 2022 US Open after taking down Italian Jannik Sinner in five thrilling sets- 6.3, 6.7, 6.7, 7.5, 6.3- to clinch a seat in the tournament semifinals.
It was a candidate for the match of the tournament as Alcaraz and Sinner battled for five-grueling hours held at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
The 19-year-old highlight reel dominated in the baseline game as his powerful forehand top-spin bombs made it hard for Sinner to come up in the net area and cut the distance.
Every time Alcaraz threw the wide top-spin, the Italian superstar was forced to guard his baseline area and was tested with his volley consistency.
However, the tables turned during the next two sets as Sinner fought toe-to-toe with Alcaraz in the long-ball game and notched several risky points coming off weird backhand angle winners.
Sinner also became successful in receiving Alcaraz’s big first service and started to play it safe by putting in the ball via his slice stroke.
With only a set away from a semifinal appearance, Sinner waxed hot during the start of the fourth set after scoring two drop balls that sucked the life out of Alcaraz.
Eager to take away some of Sinner’s edges in the court placement, Alcaraz went back to his bread and butter and bullied the Italian again in the baseline that put him back in a commanding position in the clutch stretch of the set.
The Spanish superstar then equalized the match after clinching two hold points and sealed the set with a down-the-line booming forehand that set up a deciding fifth set.
Alcaraz took control of the game and swung the momentum back on his side after breaking Sinner’s service to take a 5-3 lead and went on to prevail in one of the most heated matchups of the US Open.
With the win, Alcaraz will be taking on Frances Tiafoe in the men’s final four and is only two matches away from winning his first-ever Grand Slam championship title.
