Carlos Alcaraz could not. The 'future' of boys' tennis could not cope with the pressure of expectations. Alexander Zverev stopped the 19-year-old Spanish Open in the quarterfinals. World number three Zverev lost to Alcaraz 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-7 (9/7) in the semifinals. The German star will play either Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in the last four.
Alcaraj went on to play in the French Open after winning two clay court tournaments. Despite being the sixth pick, all eyes were on the young Spanish. Djokovic, the number one player in boys' tennis, said Alcaraz was the best tennis player at the time.
Alcaraj was not doing badly in the French Open with a huge burden of expectations on his shoulders. Incredible tennis was the gift in the first four rounds. That raised expectations for Alcaraj. But today, on Tuesday, the journey of that Alcaraz stopped at Rolland Garo in Paris.
Alcaraz paid the price for making a mistake in the last eight match against Olympic champion Zverev. Alcaraz made 56 unforced errors. The 25-year-old Zverev did not have to struggle to win the first two sets against the flying Spanish star. Alcaraj, however, did not give up. He also hinted at writing an incredible story of returning after winning the third set. But it did not happen.
Zaverev saved the set point and took the fourth set to tiebreaker. Zverev, who has yet to win a Grand Slam title, finished in the last four at the Red Fort in Paris for the second time in a row, beating Alcaraz.
The victory over Alcaraz gave Zverev a different feeling. This is the first time in his Grand Slam career that he has lost to a player in the top ten of the rankings.
However, after the victory, Zverev kept praising the defeated Alcaraz. "I hope he wins before he loses us all," he said. For a time we will have no hope. But the match started leaning towards him. I am very happy to have won the tiebreaker.