Carlos Alcaraz act sends tennis world into meltdown at US Open
Carlos Alcaraz has left US Open fans stunned after a miraculous behind-the-back shot in his quarter-final clash against Jannik Sinner with the match breaking the record for the latest finish for a men's tennis match in New York.
The 19-year-old Spaniard took the first set against the Italian in a blockbuster display of baseline rallies and athleticism.
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In the second set, Sinner was ahead 6-5 and 30-40 ahead on the Spaniard's serve when Alcaraz pulled out one of the greatest shots in tennis.
Sinner was pushing Alcaraz across the baseline when the Spaniard overran a play.
In a remarkable effort, Alcaraz hit the ball behind his back and forced Sinner to make a tough volley.
Alcaraz finished the point off with a backhand winner.
The 19-year-old superstar had the crowd on their feet as the tennis world marvelled at the play.
"Oh, c'mon," the commentator said.
"Are you kidding. That was out of necessity."
The behind-the-back shot sent the tennis world into a spin.
I repeat, Carlos Alcaraz is just built a little different. My goodness. pic.twitter.com/RfnZrZjJRQ
— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) September 8, 2022
Alcaraz is something different pic.twitter.com/X8jEkoYBpE
— choke (@cartermacg) September 8, 2022
CARLOS ALCARAZ.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE???— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 8, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz with the amazing behind the back shot into the winner
The best 2 young players in tennis are putting on a show #USOpen pic.twitter.com/GGx6XfkBN8— Brett (@Brett_Hanfling) September 8, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz is a bad, bad man. This dude is unreal! pic.twitter.com/p0s8B2Vm3y
— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) September 8, 2022
#Alcaraz is just built differently #USopen pic.twitter.com/CorGEdgQqa
— Jeremy Young (@YoungRJeremy) September 8, 2022
Further proof that Carlos Alcaraz is a generational talent pic.twitter.com/JZbQ5QYjZW
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) September 8, 2022
Have the Big 3 ever pulled off a Houdini shot of the level that Alcaraz did here? pic.twitter.com/qiKQz7iAvi
— Garrett Johnston (@JohnstonGarrett) September 8, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz is a bad, bad man. This dude is unreal! pic.twitter.com/p0s8B2Vm3y
— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) September 8, 2022
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz set US Open alight
The duo have been hailed as the future of tennis and it was clear why after one of the greatest tennis matches of all time.
Sinner won the second set, despite Alcaraz hitting 16 winners and only five unforced errors.
Alcaraz faced a match point in the fourth set, but was able to scramble his way out of the game and go onto win the fourth set.
And after the clock ticked over five hours of matchplay the duo stood across the net from each other still hitting winners at a remarkable level.
And at 2.50am local time, Alcaraz served out the match to defeat Sinner 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.
The finish was the latest in US Open history.
The quality was so high it was quickly labelled as one of the best match of the US Open and one of the best in history.
Rennae Stubbs also labelled the battle between the pair as the future of tennis.
A number of tennis players including Stan Wawrinka and Coco Gauff praised the theatre.
How good is this match #Alcaraz - #Sinner ? @usopen 🔥💣
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) September 8, 2022
The first two sets of Alcaraz vs Sinner have been two of the best sets of tennis I've ever watched. If this is the next great rivalry in the sport, I'd say the sport is very lucky.
— Musab (@Musab_Abid) September 8, 2022
Is this the best match of the year?
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) September 8, 2022
this match is insane. I leave at 6am for the airport but I refuse to sleep and miss this. #Sinner #Alcaraz
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) September 8, 2022
This is tennis from the future.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 8, 2022
Can’t get any better …@janniksin vs @carlosalcaraz
I just found myself screaming in my room, is it normal?😹— Feliciano López (@feliciano_lopez) September 8, 2022
I’ve been watching the Sinner-Alcaraz match for about the last 15 minutes. This is seriously high-level tennis.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) September 8, 2022
This Alcaraz-Sinner match is the best of the #USOpen so far.
Two youngsters going at it, pulling off ridiculous shots. It doesn't get any better. pic.twitter.com/d219POvahz— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) September 8, 2022
We're so lucky that we got two Sinner-Alcaraz second week grand slam matches this year, and I can't wait for what might be 10 more of them in the next 10 years. These two dudes are so gross.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) September 8, 2022
The 19-year-old Spaniard will now face American hope Francis Tiafoe in a highly-anticipated semi-final clash.
Alcaraz could claim the World No.1 ranking if he goes all the way at Flushing Meadows.
The 19-year-old has already won five ATP titles in 2022 and is currently the World No.4.
On the other side of the draw, Casper Ruud will face Karen Khachanov for a spot in the final.
Ruud also has a chance of taking over the World No.1 ranking if he wins the US Open.
The US Open is guaranteed to have a male that has never won the title before lift the trophy.
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