BARCELONA/WASHINGTON, April 23, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)
Everything fell into place for World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz this week in Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital city of the Catalonia region of Spain.
The 19-year-old Spaniard from Murcia capped a remarkable week by winning his second straight ATP 500 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Sunday.
The home favorite brought the sold-out crowd that filled Pista Rafa Nadal to its feet after he beat World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, 6-3, 6-4, to earn his ninth tour-level title and third of the 2023 season (to go with prior trophy wins in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells).
DEFENDS HIS TITLE 🏆
Look at that roar from @carlosalcaraz #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/KEGx9Z0Pih
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 23, 2023
The final lasted only 79 minutes but it was a memorable performance by Alcaraz – filled with plenty of solid forehand winners and deftly-placed drop shots – that will make him a formidable opponent and favorite to beat at the Mutua Madrid Open, which begins later this week.
“It is incredible,” Alcaraz said after his title triumph, which improved his career head-to-head record against Tsitsipas to 4-0. It was the Greek star’s third championship-match loss in Barcelona. “To feel this energy and lift the trophy in Barcelona in front of my family and friends, and most members of my team are here as well. Playing this level and to lift the trophy in front of them is a good feeling for me.”
Rinse and repeat 🏆@carlosalcaraz is getting used to the #BCNOpenBS trophy pic.twitter.com/SW7AMi0OOg
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 23, 2023
Tsitsipas was gracious in accepting his fate. During the trophy ceremony, the 24-year-old Greek praised Alcaraz: “I had the opportunity to see you a few years ago. … Some of us who were on tour earlier were fascinated by your tennis. We see you as an example even though we’re older than you. We see your achievements as something that will push us to do better.”
With his title defense in Barcelona a smashing success – Alcaraz improved to 10-1 lifetime at the Barcelona Open and has now won his past 15 ATP Tour matches in Spain – it was on to the club pool after the trophy ceremony, part of the tradition of this ATP 500-level event. To the victor went the splashes!
3, 2, 1…
JUMP!!
🏊♂️ @carlosalcaraz #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/A1BWAoace5
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 23, 2023
Lajovic caps big week with Srpska Open crown
Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic completed a dream week that included an upset of World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals by winning his second career ATP Tour-level title at the Srpska Open in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Sunday afternoon.
The 70th-ranked Lajovic beat Andrey Rublev of Russia, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, in two hours and 32 minutes. It snapped the World No. 6’s eight-match winning streak, which began last week in his title run at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and resulted in Rublev earning his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy.
Dreams do come true 😊
The moment @Dutzee locked down the title at Banja Luka. #SrpskaOpen pic.twitter.com/ihoeqAuY0T
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 23, 2023
The victory, Lajovic’s 14th of the season, was the eighth career Top-10 win for the 32-year-old Serbian. It earned him his first ATP Tour title since winning Umag in 2019.
“Honestly it was probably the toughest match I have had in the past six months. I felt drained,” Lajovic said. “From 5-1 in the third I could not feel my legs and felt a bit dizzy. I knew he was going to fight but somehow I managed to pull it out in the last game. I wasn’t even thinking in the last game. I was just playing automatically and I tried to take the ball early on the forehand. I am thrilled and overwhelmed that I did it this week, that I won an ATP [Tour] title.
“The last time I was in a final was four years ago and I have been through a lot since then, lots of ups and downs. This was probably the most unexpected thing for me for this week. But on the other side I still believed in myself, even though I did not have the best last year. This victory means a lot.”
His first title since 2019, featuring wins over Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev.
Just incredible, @Dutzee 🔥#SrpskaOpen pic.twitter.com/yUuA0h8xfl
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 23, 2023
By the numbers
With his title win in Barcelona, World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz moved to within 365 points in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, in his bid to recapture the No. 1 ranking.
“Quotable …”
“Me and my team were talking before the match about staying relaxed. To want to play the tough moments. Staying relaxed is the most important part for me. To forget the mistakes, everything and be myself on court. Not to think about all the people watching, but just me, the court, the racquet and the final.”
– World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, during a post-match interview, quoted by the ATP Tour website.
