Carlos Alcaraz against Jannik Sinner in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 semifinal. The cross between the 19-year-old Spaniard, number 2 in the world, and the 21-year-old South Tyrolean (n.13) compares two of the best representatives of tennis' "next gen".
They meet six months after the duel ended in favor of the first, in comeback, in the quarterfinals of last year's US Open, after 5 hours and 15' of a fight at times epic, which went down in history as the second longest match in the history of the tournament. In the previous five the Murciano is ahead 3-2, but the only final (Umago) went to Sinner.
In the Italian night between Saturday and Sunday, Alcaraz will have a further stimulus: by lifting the cup he would return to number 1 in the world. The champion from El Palmar, winner in Buenos Aires last month and whose start to the season was marked by a thigh injury, got rid of the Frenchman Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals (6-4, 6-4), who he had never previously managed to bat, playing "one of my best games this season". Sinner, in turn, eliminated (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) the reigning champion, the American Taylor Fritz, n.5 in the ATP ranking. "It's never easy to face Jannik, he's a great player" Alcaraz paid homage to him in the press conference after the success against Auger-Aliassime.
«With my team we analyze the opponents better, we try to understand what awaits us - said Sinner to explain his growth - And this is fundamental for me. Sometimes in the past I didn't know what to do on the pitch if my master plan didn't work. Today I'm understanding how and when I have to change».
Physical condition, in 2022, was one of his worries: «Now I feel in a much better situation than a year ago. They know me better, I know when to push and when to stop. I think that in two or three years I will be at the top of my possibilities».
Alcaraz again: «I like playing against Sinner because I have to be very, very focused on every shot. I have to give my best. Not just because he has a great serve, great moves, but because he pushes his opponent to the limit. Trying to play aggressively with big shots. And for those who face him it is really difficult to stay focused, mentally and physically, during the entire game. That's what I love about playing against him, which pushes me to the limit. It helps me improve." When asked if he would prefer to return to number 1 or win a Grand Slam, he replied: "It's difficult to choose, but right now I say it's better to win a Grand Slam".