Carlos Alcaraz sails into Olympic Games final, challenges Novak Djokovic

08/02/2024 11:07 AM

Carlos Alcaraz will seek a gold medal at his first Olympic Games in Paris. Carlos faced Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-final and delivered a dominant 6-1, 6-1 triumph in 76 minutes, toppling the Canadian and securing a medal for Spain. Alcaraz extended his streak at notable tournaments after leaving Auger-Aliassime behind on serve and return, never facing a break point and mounting the pressure on the other side. Carlos dropped ten points in his games and challenged his rival to follow that pace. Felix was miles away from those numbers, lacking depth and the ability to control the rallies against such a strong opponent. The Spaniard grabbed 55% of the return points and turned them into five breaks from nine chances, sailing over the top and setting the clash against Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Musetti. The favorite claimed six consecutive games in the opening set and rattled off in set number two for a comfortable day at the office and an Olympic medal at 21 years and two months!

Felix held after deuces in the first game of the encounter before Carlos landed a service winner in the next one for 1-1. Auger-Aliassime sprayed a forehand error in the third game, offering Alcaraz a break point and falling behind after a costly double fault. Carlos cemented the break with a forehand winner in game four and made another push on the return at 3-1. The Canadian squandered game points and offered the Spaniard two break points. Alcaraz sprayed the first with a backhand error before seizing the second after Auger-Aliassime's wayward forehand. World no. 3 held for 5-1 and delivered his third straight break in the seventh game, welcoming the rival's forehand error and clinching the first part of the duel in style. Carlos served well in the second set, keeping the pressure on the other side.

Felix held at 15 in the second game, already mirroring his performance from the opening set. Alcaraz moved 2-1 in front with a service winner and made a push on the return in the next one. Auger-Aliassime led 40-15 in the fourth game before dropping four straight points, facing a break point after a forced error and losing serve after a double fault. Carlos landed a service winner in the fifth game, cementing the break and moving closer to the finish line. Felix placed a forehand long in the sixth game, offering Carlos two break points. The Canadian saved them before facing the third after a backhand error. Alcaraz seized it with a forehand winner at the net, delivering his second consecutive break and serving for the win at 5-1. Carlos fired a service winner for three match points and converted the second after Felix's backhand mistake, celebrating a place in the final and hoping for more in Sunday's gold medal clash.