TSITSIPAS 3-6 *1-4 ALCARAZ
There’s a little bit of needle to this match that won’t be immediately obvious, because unlike most tennis beef, it doesn’t come from interpersonal animosity.
Back in 2018, when Stefanos Tsitsipas emerged, he did so with style. A flashing game, that elaborate backhand, some dive volleys and a huge amount of promise. He’s had a good career: he’s been a two-time Grand Slam finalist, and was one set away from winning this very tournament against Novak Djokovic in 2021.
Fast-forward, and he hasn’t exactly floundered, but he also hasn’t fulfilled the admittedly huge hopes people had for him, largely because of Djokovic, Nadal, Federer — and Carlos Alcaraz.
His opponent tonight also emerged as a showman and remains one, with an eye for a highlight and an all-round game that no one can touch, then or now, at his age. But unlike Tsitsipas, he’s also done the biggest things in the sport, winning two Grand Slam titles. Tsitsipas has never publicly said that he feels replaced, or overshadowed. But on a night like tonight, it must be hard not to feel it.
