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Match Report
Alcaraz keeps Spain alive in Malaga: ‘I did it for Rafa’
21-year-old defeats Grieskpoor to level Davis Cup QF tie with Netherlands at 1-1
November 19, 2024
Thomas Coex/Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz in action on Tuesday at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga.
By ATP Staff
When the pressure peaks and the moment demands brilliance, Carlos Alcaraz almost never falters.
The 21-year-old powered past Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3 on Tuesday evening to level Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final tie with the Netherlands at 1-1. After Rafael Nadal, competing in his final tour-level event, had fallen to Botic van de Zandschulp in straight-sets, it was down to Alcaraz to prolong his idol’s career.
“It’s an emotional day, but once you step on the court you have to forget everything and show your best tennis,” said Alcaraz. “It’s the Davis Cup, it’s a really important tournament for me, I think for everyone. I try to play my best tennis, get the win, and give Spain the chance to qualify and win. I did it for Rafa.
“I started the match pretty well, it was just that one game that I lost the focus a little bit. I missed some easy forehands and let him get the break, so I had to stay there, it was just one game. I tried to stay positive. I’m really happy that I got it in two sets.”
VAMOS CARLITOS 🇪🇸 @carlosalcaraz keeps Spain alive, leveling the tie against the Netherlands! 1⃣ – 1⃣@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/XOpAPNPQqf
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
Trailing 2-4 in the first set, Alcaraz turned the match on its head with some typically scintillating tennis. The flawless end to the first set was the second time that Alcaraz won a tie-break 7/0 against Griekspoor in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, which the Spaniard now leads 5-0.
Alcaraz will return to the court alongside Marcel Granollers for the deciding doubles rubber. They will take on Wesley Koolhof, who is also retiring at the end of the event, and Van de Zandschulp.