Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner split this season's Major titles. While the Italian dominated on the hard court, the Spaniard conquered the "natural surfaces" and achieved a rare 'Channel Slam.' Laura Robson discussed their seasons and placed Carlos above Jannik!
ADVERTISEMENT
The Briton praised the four-time Major champion and his efforts at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Robson describedAlcaraz's 'Channel Slam' as something special and unique, achieving a feat reserved only for the greatest players of the Open era.
At 21 years and two months, Carlos became the sixth and youngest owner of a ''Channel Slam,' earning his place in history books. Alcaraz earned his first Roland Garros crown over Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.
A month later, he defended the Wimbledon title, collecting his fourth Major trophyat such a young age! Thus, the Spaniard joinedRod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as a proud owner of a 'Channel Slam.'
Carlos conquers Roland Garros
The Spaniard did not play at his best at the beginning of the clay season after struggling with an arm injury. However, he recovered ahead of Roland Garros and chased his first Major trophy in Paris. Carlos beat three top-30 rivals en route to the semi-final.
Alcaraz faced Jannik Sinner en route to the trophy and trailed two sets to one in both encounters. The young gun raised above those challenges and celebrated in five-setters, saving his best tennis for the pivotal moments.
ADVERTISEMENT
Thus, Alcaraz became the first player to overcome two sets to one deficit in the Roland Garros semi-final and final since 1961! Also, the Spaniard became the youngest player to win a Major title on all three surfaces, writing history books.
Carlos and Jannik battle for the second time this season. The Italian moved two sets to one in front, hoping to extend his streak at Majors. However, Alcaraz was ready for the ultimate test on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 21-year-old started his comeback in the fourth set.
The Spaniard produced 11 consecutive holds andprevailed2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in four hours and nine minutes. Thus, he ousted the newly-crowned world no. 1 and arranged the title clash against the Rome Masters champion, Alexander Zverev.
Chasing his first Major crown at 27, Alexander claimed five straight games intwo sets, moving closer to the finish line and tennis glory. However, Carlos stepped in and scored a6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 triumph in four hours and 19 minutes, celebrating his first Roland Garros title.
ADVERTISEMENT
The youngster experienced a blow in the third set. He kept his composure and outplayed his rival in sets four and five, dropping only five games and lifting his third Major trophy. Alexander raised his level from 2-5 in the third set. He stole it with five consecutive games on his tally.
Alcaraz stepped in on serve and return in the remaining two sets, bringing the victory home in style. The Spaniard lost serve six times and converted 45% of the return points to nine breaks from 16 chances.
Alcaraz secures the Wimbledon title defense
A few weeks later, Carlos chased his second consecutive title at Wimbledon. The 21-year-old faced a challenging path on the title defense course. He passed all the obstacles and celebrated his fourth Major crown, achieving a 'Channel Slam' at 21.
The Spaniard barely crossed the finish line before Frances Tiafoe. He lost a set in three straight matches from the fourth round. However, the defending champion kept his composure and scored victories in four sets, entering the title clash.
ADVERTISEMENT
Carlos lost the opener against Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final before raising his level and remaining on the title course. Like 12 months ago, Alcaraz arranged the title clash with the seven-time champion, Novak Djokovic.
The young gun toppled the veteran 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in two hours and 27 minutes, becoming one of the youngest back-to-back champions at the All England Club. Carlos played well on serve and return, leaving the legend behind in sets one and two.
The Spaniard played against three break points, losing serve once in the third set while serving for the title. Alcaraz overcame that setback and sealed the deal in the tie break. He stole 42% of the return points and turned them into five breaks from 14 chances.
Carlos tamed his strokes nicely and overpowered Novak in every segment, especially in the opening two sets. The young gun delivered two breaks in the first set and clinched it 6-2 for a boost. Nothing changed in the second set.
ADVERTISEMENT
The defending champion dominated and added two breaks to his tally, moving 6-2, 6-2 up in 75 minutes! Djokovic saved four break points early in the third set and followed the rival's pace. The Serb earned a rare break point in the sixth game.
The Spaniard saved it and kept his serve intact. Alcaraz fired a couple of winners in the ninth game, providing a break and serving for the title at 5-4. However, he lost focus and sprayed errors in the tenth game, losing serve and keeping Novak in contention.
They arranged a tie break and exchanged early mini-breaks for 3-3. Carlos stepped in and claimed four of the followingfive points, landing a service winner at 6-4 for his second consecutive Wimbledon crown and an elusive 'Channel Slam.'
ADVERTISEMENT
"Carlos claimed titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, with only a few people doing that before him. You are changing surfaces in such a short amount of time between two tournaments. Also, Carlos returned to clay and almost claimed the Olympic Games gold medal. He had a special run within a couple of months," Laura Robson said.
