Carlos Alcaraz is two from two in Turin this week! World no. 1 defeated Alex de Minaur in the first match and had to dig deep against Taylor Fritz in the second. The Spaniard prevailed 6-7, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 48 minutes after a grueling battle.
Thus, he now tops the standings and stands as the favorite to wrap up the year-end no. 1 battle in two days against Lorenzo Musetti. Alcaraz pushed hard and prevailed in the decisive moments.
He denied eight of nine break points and provided four breaks from 11 opportunities to emerge at the top. The youngster player attacked and landed 47 winners and 37 unforced errors.
Taylor forged a slight advantage from the baseline and in service winners. However, the Spaniard erased the deficit at the net and stood strong in the shortest and mid-range exchanges.
They battled for over 70 minutes in the opener. Carlos saved six of seven break points to remain in touch before Taylor clinched the tie break 7-2 with a fine performance.
World no. 1 faced the ultimate test in the fifth game of the second set. He denied two break points and moved away from the exit door. Alcaraz grabbed a break at 15 at 6-5 to steal the set and gain a massive advantage.
Carlos served well in the final set and kept the pressure on the other side. He broke Fritz in the sixth game and moved 4-2 in front. With nothing left in the tank, the American played against three match points at 2-5.
He saved them and extended the battle before the favorite held at love at 5-3 to emerge at the top and maintain a perfect score in Turin.
