The match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the final of the Croatia Open Umag the first starring two players called to dominate in the coming years. The Murcian tennis player had to face off against his executioner in the past Wimbledon, in addition to another of the greatest exponents of the Next Gen, but this time on land, a surface that is also conducive to his rival. A week ago, Alcaraz´s first defeat in the final was to be a regretted, in Hamburg against Lorenzo Musetti. Sinner, also Italian, who certified 8-0 against Spanish players this year, signed a 7-6 (5), 1-6 and 1-6 to prevent El Palmar guy from defending the tittle. The duel started well, with the Murcian sticking his first out in the third game, when he surprised Sinner with a drop shot, although the Spaniard was solid on serve; the Spanish, to his own, too. Few options to surprise in the first games of the match (3-3) and an enviable physical display on the part of the two players. With a tie at four games, the crucial moments of the set were reached. At that point, Sinner committed two double faults in a row, which allowed Alcaraz to equalize the ninth game. The Spanish could not take advantage of the concession. The break options, in fact, were minimal for both and thus the tie break was reached.
Carlos´s fourth point (4-1) in the sudden death was a luxury, with a lob and an impressive drop shot. The Spaniard grew at a key moment although closing the sleeve was more complicated (7-6 [5]).
One of the best news was to see Carlos Alcaraz with no apparent sequel to his right ankle, the one he sprained in the semi-final match against Giulio Zeppieri. The second set began with serious break options for the Spaniard int he second game. With a favorable 40-15, Jannik managed to equalize and there began a fight of several minutes that Sinner took. The mistakes left Carlos without the break. His rival then came up and achieved the first break of the match when the situation had become uphill. Immediately afterwards, the tennis player from El Palmar was one again in a position to materialise the break and equalize, but again the option vanished. It was a moral blow and from that moment Carlos tennis was more erratic and Sinner went over his rival.
Jorge Barbero
