Carlos Alcaraz and Tomas Machac were locked at a set a piece Wednesday when the 23-year-old from the Czech Republic was forced to retire due to cramps in the Davis Cup Finals Group Stage clash. Roberto Bautista Agut won the opening singles match against Jiri Lehecka 7-6(1), 6-4, ensuring that Spain would later secure a 2-0 win against the Czech Republic in Group B action.
Alcaraz dropped the opening set 6-7(3), but fought back to level the match with a convincing 6-1 second set. Machac retired in the opening game of the deciding set after one hour, 38 minutes of play in Valencia. When Machac could not continue, he hunched over his knees and struggled to walk towards the net. Alcaraz warmly embraced his opponent.
“I think after a really difficult and tough first set, I knew that I had to stay tough, stay positive and play long rallies,” Alcaraz said. “I think he played more matches in the American swing. He played tough matches in New York. Then coming here, different conditions, different everything. It’s difficult to get used to.”
That touch though 👌@DavisCup | #DavisCup | @carlosalcaraz
pic.twitter.com/qFeN0wVMPa
— ATP Tour (@atptour)
September 11, 2024
The World No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings dropped just four points behind his first serve and produced superb all-court coverage throughout his first match since falling in the US Open second round. Machac enjoyed a career-best Slam result at Flushing Meadows, where he reached the fourth round before falling to eventual semi-finalist Jack Draper.
Alcaraz, 21, is competing in Davis Cup for the first time since September 2022. He will later partner Marcel Granollers to go against Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek.
“It’s a special feeling for me playing here in Valencia, Davis Cup. I missed last year,” Alcaraz said. “This year, I’m really excited about it.”
Spain’s next tie will be against France on Friday. Czechia meets Australia on Thursday.
In Group A action, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi helped their home country defeat Brazil 2-0. Berrettini ousted #NextGenATP 18-year-old Joao Fonseca 6-1, 7-6(5), during which the Italian rallied from 0/4 in the second-set tie-break to avoid a decider.
Arnaldi, 23, escaped a thrilling three-hour, 39-minute battle against Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(5). The World No. 33 overcame a late scare in the third-set tie-break, when he slipped and fell at the back of the court. But Arnaldi shook off the pain and continued his charge to victory.
Read More News
View All News
View Related Videos
View All Videos
DOWNLOAD OFFICIAL ATP WTA LIVE APP
Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store
Premier Partner
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Official Ball, Racquet and Tennis Accessory
Official Partners & Suppliers
Corporate
About
People & Culture
Careers
Contract Opportunities
ATP Serves
One VIsion
Media
News Releases
Newsletters
Rulebook
Media Guide
Daily Media Notes
Rankings and Info Reports
ATP Tour Archive
Partnerships
Partnership Opportunities
Official ATP Tennis Club
ATP Partners
Related links
ATP Media
GPTCA
Women’s Tennis Association
Intl. Tennis Federation
Intl. Tennis Hall of Fame
Intl. Tennis Integrity Agency
© Copyright 1994 – 2024 ATP Tour, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc.. Terms & Condit
ions | Privacy | Community Social Media Policy | Modern Slavery Statement | Feedback | Cookies
