Carlos Alcaraz floors Australian Open viewers with 'impossible' winner
The Spanish sensation produced a moment of magic against his rival.
Carlos Alcaraz has brought his best tennis to the Australian Open having produced one of the shots of the tournament in a near 'impossible' position off the court. The World No.2 was facing another tough task in the second round against the dazzling Lorenzo Sonego leading at two sets to one.
The Spaniard and Italian were putting on a stunning array of shots throughout the match, which saw Alcaraz even run up to Sonego and offer him a high-five after a point had the crowd on their feet. Although the best was saved for the fourth set when Alcaraz produced a backhand winner from what seemed a near impossible angle.
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Sonego had pushed Alcaraz out wide to his backhand with the Spaniard at top speed out passed the double tramlines. The camera angle hardly picked up Alcaraz as he disappeared behind the chair umpire.
But in a moment of magic, Alcaraz launched a bullet-like backhand around the net and it landed in the corner of the court for a winner. Sonego was left in awe as he raised hit racquet and offered Alcaraz an applause.
The crowd reciprocated as Alcaraz smiled after hitting one of the best shots of the tournament. "Oh amazing. Have you ever seen anything better," the commentator said in astonishment. At the end of the first round, Alcaraz admitted in his post-match interview he likes to ignore the score and make 'impossible' shots to entertain the crowd.
And that is exactly what he did in the Sonego show. The tennis world rightfully erupted with Alcaraz slowly finding form at Melbourne Park having made a truly special tennis shot.
'Sometimes I don't see the score and I try to make impossible shots for the crowd'
- ALCARAZ, Carlos pic.twitter.com/3LDVoZu7ZE— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 18, 2024
What must it be like to be Carlos Alcaraz and just...do things like this on the reg?
A 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(3) win over Lorenzo Sonego - Nagal or Shang next.pic.twitter.com/aeyojrRQBj— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 18, 2024
🤯WHAT A SHOT DID CARLOS ALCARAZ JUST PLAY?! #AusOpen
— tennis-infinity.com (@TennisInfinity1) January 18, 2024
ALCARAZ AROUND THE POST…. 🤯🤯#AusOpen #Alcaraz
— Michael Ponticello (@therealminirabs) January 18, 2024
Alcaraz that is the best point I’ve ever seen
— Evie (@evie_bl1505) January 18, 2024
PEAK PEAK PEAK SHOT AROUND THE NET CARLOS ALCARAZ I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHIN LIKE THIS
— shivam (@shivvamm8) January 18, 2024
After the match, Alcaraz admitted hew as thrilled with how his second match of 2024 unfolded. "I'm really happy with my performance today," Alcaraz added.
"Both of us played such a great level, high intensity. The match was a bit tricky with the wind and sun, tough to play my best. Even if I lost the second set, I think I played a good game."
Max Purcell crashes out in five-set thriller
Aussie Max Purcell put up a tremendous fight against No.11 seed Casper Ruud, but fell in a five-set thriller. The Aussie pushed the Norwegian claycourt specialist in the second round on Thursday, only to come up just short 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) in a high-quality Australian Open second-round encounter.
After the match, Purcell was happy with his performance and was confident heading into the rest of the season. "I do play a game that can kind of trouble anyone," Purcell said.
"In saying that, there are obviously still some lower-ranked guys that beat me. I've just got that kind of game style that disrupts rhythm. Anyone on an off day is going to struggle against me."
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