Alcaraz reaches the quarterfinals with tasks still to complete
The Spanish tennis player overcame Basilashvili in Vienna, but he had episodes of disconnection that complicated the match again.
Carlos Alcaraz has defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili in the round of 16 of the ATP Vienna to secure his spot in the quarterfinals with a score of 6-1 and 7-6(11), but he has once again experienced the ups and downs that have followed him since returning from his wrist injury. The Georgian player started off the match very downcast, but forced the Murcian to save four set points and at times he reminded us of the player who reached number 17 in the world in 2019.
Alcaraz was expected to show a bit more consistency after his first-round match against Karen Khachanov, and today he started very serious from the outset. Additionally, Basilashvili did not truly believe he could hurt him until the second set, when he raised his level and doubts crept into the Spaniard's mind after having the match virtually under control. Nevertheless, he managed to react in time to turn the situation around, and his next opponent in the quarterfinals will be Tommy Paul.
Basilashvili barely wins a game in the first set
The match began with Alcaraz showing a very high level, enduring the attacks from Basilashvili while waiting patiently for his opportunity. That moment came quickly, at 2-1, as after a long game he took advantage of an unforced error from the Georgian player to convert the first break point he had. From that moment on, Nikoloz completely fell apart and lost serve again after making too many errors, allowing Carlos to comfortably close the first set with a resounding 6-1.
As if the drama wasn’t enough for Basilashvili, right at the beginning of the second set he made a glaring overhead error that gave Carlos another break point, which he would convert to go up 1-0 and shift into sixth gear towards the quarterfinals. Nothing was going right for Nikoloz, and his frustration became increasingly evident. At this point, no one expected a resurgence from the Georgian, but he returned to equal the set with a break at 3-2 against all odds.
Alcaraz saves 4 set points and closes out the match
At that moment, the tension was palpable in the air, but at 4-4, Basilashvili tightened up at the worst possible moment to gift Alcaraz a 15-40. However, he redeemed himself with great points to stay alive in the set and the match. Not only that, but he forced a tie-break where everything was still to play for, and the match seemed increasingly balanced. Anyone would say otherwise considering what had been seen in the first hour of play.
In the tiebreak, Basilashvili struck first and went up 4-1, but Alcaraz’s reaction was quick as he leveled it at 4-4. However, Nikoloz tightened the screws again and took a 6-4 lead with two set points. He missed the first with a forehand that went just millimeters wide, and on the second, he failed a forehand during the serve that increased the drama even more. Still, he got back to 7-6 to have another chance to close out the set, but Carlos produced a signature drop shot to avoid the debacle.
Immediately after, Alcaraz made a forehand error, but he saved the fourth set point with another great shot, and unleashed pandemonium in the center court with another parallel backhand that gave him his first match point. However, the tennis gods didn’t want the set to end, and he made another mistake to bring it to 9-9. Another winner with his forehand granted Carlos his second match point, but Nikoloz was brave and saved it at the net. Alcaraz's third match point was even more surreal, as with Basilashvili on the ground, he missed a backhand by mere millimeters, but on the fourth, he finally managed to close the tiebreak and the match. Mission accomplished, but not without doubts.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz, a cuartos con tareas pendientes