Tokyo.- Carlos AlcarazWorld Cup, qualified for the tournament final ATP 500 from Tokyo After beating the Norwegian Casper Ruud (N.12) 3-6, 6-3 and 6-4 and will play the title on Tuesday against the American Taylor Fritz (N.5).
Thanks to this victory, Alcaraz will play his 10th final in 2025. No tennis player had managed to play ten finals in the same season from Rafael Nadal in 2017.
“Following your steps when you achieve 10 finals in a season is something big,” Alcaraz said after signing his 66th course of the course, record for him.
“I hope this is not over here, there are still tournaments ahead and I hope to reach the finals too. I am really happy with my level,” he added.
Of the nine finals played so far, he only lost two (Wimbledon and Barcelona), winning those of Roland Garros, Us Open, Roterdam, Montecarlo, Rome, Queen’s and Cincinnati.
Against a combative Ruud, the 22 -year -old Murcia had to use himself thoroughly to overcome a game that was complicated by losing the first set after wasting the four “break” balls he had.
The Norwegian was enough to break the service of his rival in the eighth game and sign up for the first set.
Alcaraz matched the contest thanks to a great service in the second set (9 ACES) and in the decisive he played better in the key moments that ended up deciding the game.
In the fourth game he saved two “break” balls and immediately later broke Ruud, who could no longer overcome.
No problems with ankle
Alcaraz also did not seem to suffer for his left ankle, which was injured at his premiere in Tokyo against Argentine Sebastián Báez.
“Emotionally it was very hard to deal with all this today. I am happy to have been able to overcome and end with a great level,” added the Spanish.
His rival in the final will be Fritz, who had previously defeated his compatriot Jenson Brooksby (n.86) 6-4 and 6-3.
Both tennis players have already faced four times, with an advantage for Spanish (three victories), although it was the North American who won in his last duel, on September 20 at the Laver Cup (6-3 and 6-2).
