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Alcaraz fought back from 4-2 down in the final set, consuming pickle juice to prevent cramps, and secure the gruelling win over the fellow Spaniard.
Carlos Alcaraz in action at the Queen’s Club (AFP)
Carlos Alcaraz narrowly avoided defeat against fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar to move on to the Queen’s Club quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 7-5 victory on Thursday.
The world number two endured a gruelling second-round match that lasted three hours and 26 minutes during the hottest day of the year in London.
To prevent cramps, Alcaraz consumed pickle juice between games and had to fight back from 4-2 down in the final set before securing his win.
Top-seeded Alcaraz had previously been tested by Australian world number 86 Adam Walton on Tuesday, his first match since his dramatic French Open victory against Jannik Sinner.
On Thursday, the 22-year-old faced an even more challenging opponent in world number 59 Munar as he prepared for his bid for a third consecutive Wimbledon title later in June.
While it wasn’t as dramatic as his French Open comeback against Sinner, where he saved three match points, Alcaraz had to draw on the same tenacity to overcome Munar.
Despite making 53 unforced errors, he managed to produce 49 winners to clinch the match.
“I still don’t know how I’m standing here. But I’m really happy I’ve given myself another chance in the quarter-final,” said Alcaraz, whose current 15-match winning streak is the longest of his career.
“I just kept fighting. I guess I didn’t give up. Honestly I was out mentally, but I stayed there and tried to play the points.”
Exhausted, Alcaraz celebrated by writing “were we on clay?” on a TV camera lens before leaving the court. He will next face France’s Arthur Rinderknech, who defeated Reilly Opelka 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.
The five-time Grand Slam champion took the first set by breaking Munar’s serve in the third game, thanks to three consecutive double faults from his opponent. A dazzling drop-shot sealed the set for Alcaraz. The second set proved more challenging, with Alcaraz uncharacteristically sloppy with his ground strokes and serve. He squandered two match points in the tie-break, allowing Munar to take the set with a forehand winner.
Alcaraz regained composure with an early break in the deciding set, but Munar immediately responded with a break of his own. Munar then broke again for a 3-2 lead and appeared poised for victory.
However, Alcaraz proved relentless, breaking back at 4-4 and eventually securing his nerve-jangling win with a perfectly weighted lob.
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
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