By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday July 24, 2021
Carlos Alcaraz’s swift rise up the ATP rankings continues.
The 18-year-old Spaniard put forth another eye-opening physical display to defeat 33-year-old Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 6-2, 7-6(3), to set a final with France’s Richard Gasquet.
"I have a lot of emotions right now," Alcaraz said. "It is my first ATP final, so I am enjoying everything here in Umag. I am really happy right now."
The Spaniard, ranked 72, becomes the youngest ATP finalist since Kei Nishikori played the final round at Delray Beach in 2008 (and won the title); yesterday, with his victory over Filip Krajinovic, Alcaraz became the youngest player to reach two ATP semifinals since Rafael Nadal in 2003 and 2004.
Explosive in both movement and ball striking, athletic and supremely fit, Alcaraz has a bit of Dominic Thiem in his game. He can be overpowering like Thiem, and he is a physical beast like the Austrian as well.
Alcaraz broke serve five times on 14 opportunities to defeat his compatriot for the second time in two meetings. Ramos Vinolas rallied from a break down three times in the second set but Alcaraz pushed past him in the tiebreaker to secure victory in one hour and 59 minutes.
Gasquet is enjoying a bit of a renaissance in Umag. The 35-year-old Frenchman, a former World No.7, toppled Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-3 to reach his first ATP final since 2018, and the 32nd of his career.