Tennis world in frenzy over Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz photo
Italian youngster Jannik Sinner has produced one of the best matches of his career to defeat Spanish teen Carlos Alcaraz in Umag as the tennis world erupted over the scenes after the match.
Both Sinner and Alcaraz are torchbearers for the next generation of tennis stars and they showed why they are both so highly touted after the Italian won 6-7, 6-1, 6-1.
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Sinner dominated after the 19-year-old Alcaraz prevailed in the first-set tiebreaker.
"I am obviously very happy," Sinner said.
"I have (had) a tough year until now, I had some unfortunate moments, but we worked every time to play better, to be a better player, to be a better person ... but I know that I still have a lot of things to improve."
Sinner's ATP title victory marked the first for 2022 and his sixth career title.
In comparison, Alcaraz has five titles to his name at the age of 19.
In a beautiful post-match moment, Sinner and Alcaraz were seen sharing a laugh with their trophies on stage with the two sharing a healthy friendship off court.
Sinner's dismantling of Alcaraz also put the rest of the ATP Tour on notice ahead of the US Open.
The tennis world was quick to react to the astonishing achievements of the young pair, in an era of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Many also lauded the stunning photo of the two friends laughing with their trophies, which could signal the beginning of a strong rivalry.
First title of the year! ✊
Jannik Sinner recovers a set down vs Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-1 6-1 to take the crown in Umag pic.twitter.com/9HtJ1GPT9j— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) July 31, 2022
20-year-old Jannik Sinner reasserts himself in the crown prince conversation, dropping two breadsticks on Alcaraz in the ATP 250 Umag final.
Sinner isn’t defending his ATP 500 Washington title next week, so that’s a helpful chunk of points. https://t.co/jIYUdMU4ZT— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 31, 2022
Very, very high level tennis from Sinner. When he is good, he is so good. About to become the first player to beat Alcaraz from a set down in 2022.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 31, 2022
Tennis players born after 2000 with multiple ATP titles
🇮🇹 Jannik Sinner (6)
🇪🇦 Carlos Alcaraz (5)
End of list. pic.twitter.com/k4lljcBH4B— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) July 31, 2022
Jannik has won Umag! Dismantling Alcaraz 6-1 6-1 in the last two sets after losing the 1st set TB. pic.twitter.com/xQ1oMGDhq4
— Del🇪🇺 (@Stroppa_Del) July 31, 2022
Imho, this is Jannik Sinner's biggest career win. Here is why:
- 1st player who came back from one set down versus Alcaraz in 2022 (36-1)
- 1st official top 5 win (not very relevant statistically, but relevant for his morale)
- He has defeated Alcaraz, in their first final 1v1 pic.twitter.com/f60fzCDeb5— Relevant | Tennis Stats & Info (@RelevantTennis) July 31, 2022
When was the last time there was such a joyous picture of the winner and the loser? Alcaraz and Sinner hopefully will push each other for years to come (19 and 20 yo) ala Federer, Nadal, Djokovic. So great for tennis pic.twitter.com/vpjTaFQFlW
— Kent right now, I’m tweeting 🏳️🌈 (@BookShrike) August 1, 2022
the definition of rivals not enemies #Sinner #Alcaraz pic.twitter.com/iblOg8q3or
— f ;) ♡ (@machepalleee) July 31, 2022
Sinner saved all nine break points he faced before converting his first match point to claim his first trophy on clay after he won all the previous ones at hard-court tournaments.
The 20-year-old Sinner broke his opponent for the first time in the third game of the second set, a game after he saved six break points.
He improved his record against fellow young gun Alcaraz to 2-1.
Carlos Alcaraz reaches career-high ranking
Only last week, Alcaraz became the youngest player to enter the World Top 5 since fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2005.
Following his second successive final, Alcaraz will now move up one ranking to World No.4.
New career highs on ATP Top 100
4. Alcaraz
30. Musetti
31. Baez
32. Cressy
44. Griekspoor
48. McDonald
62. Monteiro
64. Dellien
73. Halys
81. Draper
84. Tseng
90. Lestienne (top 100 debut)
95. Galan
97. Varillas (top 100 debut)
99. Wolf (top 100 debut)— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 31, 2022
Alcaraz played his tour-leading sixth final of the year.
He has won five titles, four of them in 2022.
The duo will now move on to start their hard court campaigns ahead of the US Open.
with AAP
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