"I truly believe a star is born" proclaims former world number two Corretja about Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz played a sensational match against Stefanos Tsitsipa to defeat him 3-2 in the 3rd round of the US Open.

The Spaniard showcased a complete skillset consisting of a very aggressive playstyle and great shotmaking. Tsitsipas admitted after the match that he never saw something strike it so hard and it was impressive to see. Former pro Kafelnikov proclaimed said he would be number 1 three years from now.

Former world number two Alex Corretja was among those impressed saying:

“I am very proud of Carlos because what he has just done is huge, it’s so difficult – not just to beat Tstisipas, which is almost impossible. It’s the way he did it – how brave he was. At the beginning of the fifth set, he looked very tired physically but then he came back strongly and kept on hitting winners from the forehand side, from the backhand side, with the serve."

Alcaraz showed maturity and calmness in key moments winning both tiebreaks played in the match. The 5th set one was particularly impressive as Tsitsipas realistically never looked in it. Corretja further said:

“I am exhausted, but I have to say we need these kind of matches. We love tennis because of these emotions, I have to say. He has only played a five set match once before, so I today truly believe a star is born."

He concluded with:

“An 18-year-old, coming from Spain, you usually play very well on clay but to develop your game that well on the hard courts at that age is not easy. And to defeat the number three seed Tsitsipas 7-6 in the fifth set – that shows you are brave and you are ready to be a big tennis player.”