Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe and the best match of Wimbledon so far
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The simple truth is that Carlos Alcaraz has made it to the fourth round of Wimbledon while Frances Tiafoe has not. However, the real story lies in the intense match that took place on Centre Court. The audience was captivated by every point, with gasps and cheers filling the stadium as the third and 29th seeds battled it out. Fans who were unfamiliar with Tiafoe just hours before found themselves passionately cheering for him, urging him on to challenge the reigning champion.
He pushed Alcaraz to use up all his energy and come up with new ideas, but Alcaraz showed everyone the extent of his abilities by controlling the fifth set and winning 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2.
Alcaraz and Tiafoe are top-notch runners and created an exciting mix, leading to points filled with creativity and tricky angles. The game included all kinds of shots: fancy moves, slide volleys, fast-paced rallies at the net like in doubles matches, and perfectly placed lobs that left a trail of white powder on the baseline.
This was a fantastic atmosphere on Centre Court: the crowd cheered for both players and the players showed respect for each other. They have formed a bond off the court, based on a mutual love for the game, strengthened by a memorable five-set match at the US Open semi-finals in the past. Leading up to Wimbledon, Tiafoe was interviewed by a tennis magazine and was asked who he would choose to be by his side in tough situations. His answer? "Carlos Alcaraz."
The lead-up to the match was full of friendly banter. Alcaraz joked, "I'm coming for him!" Tiafoe replied with a smile, "I'll be prepared for a battle."
Tiafoe has had a difficult year, admitting that he has not been performing well in matches. He mentioned that he had fallen from the top 10 to No 28 last year, saying that he had been losing to opponents he considers inferior. Tiafoe also acknowledged that he had underestimated the game and become too complacent. However, he seemed more determined and lively in his recent matches, showing skill and making better choices on when to approach the net.
Alcaraz quickly took the lead with an early break, making it seem like he would easily win yet another match as a three-time grand slam champion. However, when Tiafoe promptly broke back, a familiar buzz spread through Centre Court, indicating that an exciting match was about to unfold.
At 5-5, the American halted a fast-paced exchange to contest a powerful Alcaraz shot. He was visibly surprised when the replay showed that the ball had indeed landed right on the line. But this mistake seemed to ignite something in Tiafoe. He managed to win three points in a row at the net, countering Alcaraz's strong shots with quick volleys until he finally scored a point. Tiafoe then sealed the break with a powerful return and went on to hold his serve for a 7-5 lead.
In the second set, Alcaraz began to capitalize on Tiafoe's moves. First, he executed a precise lob that landed just inside the baseline, followed by a powerful forehand down the line that left Tiafoe scrambling. A well-placed drop shot forced Tiafoe to rush to the net, where he slipped on the damp grass and fell. Alcaraz won the point, helped Tiafoe up, and closed out the set with a cross-court backhand winner to tie the match.
At a tie of 3-3 in the third set, they delivered an outstanding game filled with creativity. Alcaraz pushed himself to reach difficult shots but unfortunately couldn't succeed: he missed a forehand by a few centimetres on the left side, giving Tiafoe a break point. The game concluded when Alcaraz's hot-dog lob went out of bounds. Tiafoe celebrated with a roar, the crowd cheered along, and a few games later he secured the set, leading 2-1.
For a short period of time, it appeared that Tiafoe had a good chance of winning a remarkable victory. At 4-4 in the fourth set, Alcaraz faced some difficulties when he was down 0-30 on his serve. However, he showed his talent by playing exceptional tennis under pressure. He won four points in a row, including a perfect ace, and then let out a scream of triumph in the hot and humid conditions.
In the intense tie-break of the fourth set, Alcaraz took the lead with two amazing shots that excited the crowd. He hit winners and showed off his strong arm muscles. Even though Tiafoe was losing 5-1, he fought back by tricking Alcaraz with a drop shot and then hitting a perfect lob. It was like he had planned it all beforehand. However, Alcaraz won the next two points, leading to a final decision in the match.
Alcaraz has an amazing record in five-set matches – now 12-1 – and it was obvious why. As the set began, he jumped off his seat like a toy with a spring, while Tiafoe dragged himself to the baseline, taking deep breaths. It had been nearly four hours and he was starting to feel tired. At 1-1, Alcaraz got two chances to break his opponent's serve and he only needed one, moving his opponent around the court before hitting a sharp backhand winner on the run.
He quickly finished the last set, making some amazing shots as he did. They hugged for a long time at the net, and the loud cheers as Tiafoe walked off the court may have brought him some comfort: he may have lost the match, but he gained 15,000 fans on Centre Court.
