NEWS
Wild Tiebreak! Alcaraz Reaches Vienna Quarterfinals
After a strong first set, the Spaniard loses some focus in the second and is fully challenged. In the end, however, the favorite prevails.
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz advanced on Thursday with a 6-1, 7-6 (11) victory over Nikoloz Basilashvili (ATP-95.) into the quarterfinals of the Erste Bank Open.
In the first set, Alcaraz dictated the pace on Centre Court in the Wiener Stadthalle. The 23-year-old impressed with some delightful shots and two breaks. Basilashvili, who had defeated ÖTV-ace Jurij Rodionov the day before, only managed to hold his first service game.
Alcaraz Squanders Three Match Points
The start of the second set also went exactly to the Spaniard's liking. Alcaraz managed an early break. After that, the Georgian progressively found his rhythm. Basilashvili achieved the rebreak for 3-3 and an interim 4-3 lead.
It went into a tiebreak, in which Alcaraz was fully challenged. The underdog pulled away to 4-1 and then squandered four set points. But the favorite also failed to close it out initially, squandering three match points. However, the fourth one finally sealed it. The tiebreak went to Alcaraz 13-11.
In the quarterfinals, Alcaraz will now face American Tommy Paul (ATP-14.), who won 6-1, 6-1 against Luciano Darderi (ITA/ATP-23.) on Thursday afternoon.
