|
Alcaraz, who had an injury-plagued start to the
season and was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of his
last tournament, the Miami Open, won in Barcelona for the second
consecutive year, taking the title without losing a set.
The Spanish teenager beat world number five and second seed
Tsitsipas with the same ease that he dispatched every other
opponent in Barcelona this week.
Alcaraz, who in December became the youngest year-end world
number one since the ATP rankings began, was close to perfection
on Sunday and gave a masterclass as he won in less than 80
minutes.
It was Tsitsipas's fourth consecutive loss to Alcaraz.
"Today I was myself, I was fluid and relaxed. It was the perfect
moment to do it and I'm super happy to have delivered it in
outstanding fashion," Alcaraz told TVE.
"Yesterday, before going to sleep I was so tense and woke up
today very nervous. However, the warm-up helped me to relax, and
I thought I should let my body flow and not be tight.
"I wanted to forget about everything else and just be me on the
court. I am still surprised to receive such a warm welcome here
in my country, as a 19-year-old kid I could not imagine that I
would experience what I'm living wherever I go."
Tsitsipas managed to break Alcaraz in the third game, but the
Spaniard hit right back and got another break before closing out
the first-set in 38 minutes.
Alcaraz was even more aggressive in the second set as he
attacked relentlessly and broke Tsitsipas's serve in the fifth
game.
He did not give his opponent a chance to fight back and closed
out the match with a powerful forehand before celebrating with
the home fans.
The next step in the Spaniard's buildup to the French Open will
be the Madrid Masters which starts next Thursday.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallás in Madrid; Editing by Toby Davis)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
