Alcaraz to meet Sinner in Croatia Open final

Tennis

UMAG, Croatia — Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz overcame a second set scare on the way to defeating qualifier Giulio Zeppieri 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to his seventh career ATP final at the Croatia Open on Saturday.

With the victory, the 19-year-old Spaniard is in his tour-leading sixth final of the year.

“It’s amazing to be in a final here again,” said Alcaraz, who won his maiden ATP title here last year.

He overcame his first dropped set in the clay-court tournament and a roll of his ankle in the semifinal against the 20-year-old Italian.

“At the moment it is good,” Alcaraz said about his ankle. “I don’t feel too much right now. Let’s see tonight or tomorrow morning, but I am going to say I will be ready for the final.”

In his first real test in Umag after two straight-set victories, Alcaraz converted six of his 15 break points while Zeppieri, who didn’t win a tour-level match before this week, broke him four times.

Sunday’s final against second-seeded Jannik Sinner will be Alcaraz’s 100th match on the tour.

Sinner eased past fellow Italian Franco Agamenone, a qualifier, 6-1, 6-3 to advance to his first ATP final this year and eighth overall.

Articles You May Like

Marta nets stellar goal, sends Pride to NWSL final
Boise State slides into bye slot in CFP rankings
Sources: Breakaway league bids to shake up rugby
UFC 309 fight rankings: What is can’t-miss beyond Jones-Miocic?
Braves’ Sale, Tigers’ Skubal win Cy Young Awards

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *