DOLLY PARTON RETURNS TO PUBLIC EYE TO CELEBRATE OPENING DAY AT DOLLYWOOD . (PHOTO).
Carlos Alcaraz’s precise shot-making and relentless pressure left Novak Djokovic struggling to keep pace as the 22-year-old Spaniard captured his first Australian Open title Sunday in Melbourne.
“I think nobody knows how hard I’ve been working to get this trophy,” Alcaraz said after the match. “It was a bit of a roller coaster emotionally… My team pushed me every day to do the right things. I’m just really grateful for everyone I have in my corner.”
Alcaraz defeated Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena, securing a historic career Grand Slam and a $4.15 million prize, while denying Djokovic a record 25th major. The young Spaniard recorded 36 winners to Djokovic’s 32, hit nine aces to Djokovic’s four, and converted five of seven break points compared with Djokovic’s two of six, committing 27 unforced errors to Djokovic’s 46.
Djokovic started strong, breaking Alcaraz twice in the opening set, but the tide turned as Alcaraz broke him twice in the second to even the match. In the third, Alcaraz broke Djokovic again to take a 4-2 lead, ultimately closing out the set despite Djokovic’s late resistance. The fourth set saw both players hold serve through 11 games before Alcaraz broke Djokovic in a marathon final game, winning a 24-shot rally when Djokovic sent a forehand long.
Djokovic earned $2.15 million and will rise to No. 3 in the ATP rankings. Alcaraz now turns his attention to the French Open from May 24 to June 7 in Paris, where he will attempt to secure a third consecutive major, followed by Wimbledon from June 29 to July 12 and the U.S. Open from Aug. 30 to Sept. 13. Together, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have claimed the last nine Grand Slam titles.
Comments
Post a Comment