Despite
being eliminated, Carlos Alcaraz took to the court to play against Borna Coric
in the Hopman Cup and came out victorious with a score of 6-3, 6-7, 10-5.
Earlier in
the day, Rebeka Masarova was defeated by the superior Donna Vekic, who didn't
give any chances and won 6-2, 6-1 against the Spanish player. This loss left
the Spanish team with no chances of making it to the final on Sunday, as they
fell 2-1 in the series against Belgium.
Nevertheless,
Carlos Alcaraz had to play his match against the Croatian Borna Coric, as they
were still competing for a spot in the final. The first set saw both players
holding their serves without any major problems and without facing any break
points until the eighth game, with Alcaraz leading 4-3.
It seemed
difficult for either player to get a break, but the 20-year-old took advantage
of the first break point in his favor to take a 5-3 lead, eventually winning
the set 6-3.
In the
second set, the world No. 1 had a rough start, losing his serve in the second
game, which gave Coric a quick 2-0 lead. However, Alcaraz quickly broke back
and leveled the set, eventually confirming the break with a solid service game.
Throughout
most of the set, both players held their serves comfortably, except for the
fifth game, where Coric saved three break points to hold his serve. The set
went to a tiebreak, and despite having a match point, Alcaraz lost his serve at
a crucial moment, allowing Coric to take the set.
As the
match was now tied, the tournament format required a super tiebreak to 10 points.
In this decisive tiebreak, Alcaraz showcased his talent and emerged victorious,
winning 10-5 and breaking Coric's serve five times out of eight service points.
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.