Remember the name, Carlos Alcaraz! The teenager upsets Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round of the US Open 2021

Remember the name, Carlos Alcaraz! The teenager upsets Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round of the US Open 2021

Carlos Alcaraz

In one of the best matches of the tournament so far, 18-year old Carlos Alcaraz stunned the World No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday evening in front of a packed Arthur Ashe stadium. The teen sensation knocked the third seed out in five set 6-3,4-6,7-6(2),0-6,7-6(5) in over four hours.

This was the biggest win of Alcaraz’s career and a first top 5 win. He had the backing of the New York crowd all the way and he didn’t disappoint them. He made his grand slam debut this year at the Australian Open and on his US Open debut, the kid is already into the second week.

Alcaraz was on song right from the word go. He was quick to break Tsitsipas’ serve and was soon up with a double break’s lead. He was brave on his serve and it paid well. The forehand was firing for him and despite losing one break to Tsitsipas, he won the set comfortably 6-3.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz

The second set was a lot better for the third seed. But initially, Alacaraz was up 3-0 but soon lost his serve to hand the break right back. Tsitsipas attacked a lot more on Alcaraz’s serve and got a decisive break. He served better than the opening set and showed a lot more aggression. He eventually won the set 6-4, winning 6 out of the last 7 games.

The Greek had all the momentum and was flying in the fourth set too. He gave the kid no chance and broke him twice to take a 5-2 lead. But the young Spaniard proved that he is built different and got not one, but both breaks back despite being under so much pressure. He forced a tie breaker and dropped just 2 points to win the set and set the Ashe crowd on fire!

Tsitsipas wasn’t just done yet. He proved his mettle in the fourth set and absolutely crushed Alacaraz. He broke the 18-year old three times and bageled him to force a decider.

Both the players started fresh and strong in the fifth set. They were taking their chances on return and held serve till the end to force a tie break. The set was dictated with a lot more winners than unforced errors showing the level of tennis. Alcaraz was first to get the mini-break and didn’t let the momentum slip away. He had three match points but looked nervous for the first time in the entire match. He finally converted the third match point with a clean forehand winner and sunk on the court in tears, the tears of joy and relief! Carlos Alcaraz beat the world no.3 and announced himself to the world in style!

Alacaraz will now face a qualifier, Peter Gojowczyk in the fourth round and will go in as the favorite to make it to the quarterfinal.

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