By Alberto Amalfi | Sunday, September 18, 2022
US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated Soonwoo Kwon 6-4, 7-6(1) to clinch Spain's victory before an electric crowd in Valencia.
Photo credit: Getty
Carlos Alcaraz knows how to create major closure.
Today, Alcaraz sealed Spain's spot in the Davis Cup Finals last eight.
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US Open champion Alcaraz rode a wave of support from home fans defeating Soonwoo Kwon 6-4, 7-6(1) to clinch Spain's victory before an electric crowd in Valencia.
"I'm really happy to get the decisive point to get into Malaga, to the Finals in the Davis Cup," Alcaraz said. "It's an honor to represent my country. Yeah, I'm really, really happy for it."
World No. 1 Alcaraz broke for 3-1 and confirmed the break at 30. Kwon broke back at love for 4-5, but Alcaraz answered breaking back to snatch a one-set lead.
Alcaraz amped up the crowd in the second-set tiebreaker dominating the extra session.
"This tournament, Davis Cup is different," Alcaraz said. "You are playing with your team, represent your country. You don't play just for yourself.
"You're playing for everyone in Spain, you know. Yeah, is different atmosphere, different air you breathe, totally different from the other tournaments. You have to play the same, you know, but, yeah, it's different."
Earlier, Roberto Bautista Agut sweptSeong-Chan Hong 6-1, 6-3 in the opener to stake Spain to a 1-0 lead. Bautista Agut needed just 71 minutes to score his third singles win of the week in clinical fashion.
The 19-year-old Alcaraz has captured titles in cities as diverse as New York, Miami and Madrid and says there's no place like home.
"In every part of Spain I good feel comfortable," Alcaraz said. "I love playing in Spain in front of all my people.
"Yeah, I just feel comfortable in every part of Spain, not just in Valencia."