New Article
Youngster Alcaraz narrowly progresses to the quarter-finals of the Queen's tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz faced off against Jaume Munar in a grueling three-hour long second-round duel at the Queen's Club, warming up for Wimbledon. The 2025 Wimbledon hopefuls traded punches in a thrilling three-set match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
In the oppressive London heat, Alcaraz, glugging down pickle juice, fought tooth and nail to come out on top, eventually taking the match 6-4, 6-7(7), 7-5.
"It was an absolute slugfest," Alcaraz said, visibly relieved. "He's a tough competitor and really gave me a run for my money."
This victorious skirmish extended his impressive 15-match winning streak and placed him one step closer to his third straight Wimbledon title in June.
The match started off solidly for Alcaraz, who claimed the first set with a series of well-executed drop shots and aggressive serve returns. However, Munar wasn't far behind and battled fiercely to even out the contest with a narrow tiebreak victory in the second set.
As the sun beat down, both players displayed their mettle, playing lengthy rallies and trading sharp volleys. It was a testament to their fortitude and mental resilience on the grass court.
In the decisive third set, it looked like Munar would claim victory when he secured a 3-2 lead, but Alcaraz refused to give up. With grit and determination, he rallied to break back at 4-4 and clinched the match with a shrewdly timed lob.
Alcaraz celebrated his victory with a laugh, writing "were we on clay?" on a TV camera lens before departing the court, hinting at a preference for his preferred surface.
He now faces France's Arthur Rinderknech, who defeated Reilly Opelka, for a spot in the semi-finals.
Up until this point, Munar had dethroned a younger Alcaraz on clay back in 2021, but acknowledged Alcaraz's significant growth since then, evolving into a Grand Slam champion and top-ranked player. Munar saw this match as an opportunity to assess himself against a former Wimbledon champion[2].
In the aftermath of the battle, Alcaraz's serve showed signs of improvement, particularly accuracy, which proved vital in securing the win and establishing his dominance on grass courts[3].
This triumph boosted Alcaraz's exceptional 27-3 record on grass and further bolstered his confidence heading into Wimbledon, an event where he has already taken home two titles[3].
© 2025 AFP
"With his eye on various Grand Slam titles, Carlos Alcaraz might also consider adding a tennis Grand Slam to his collection, given his impressive form and passion for the sport."
"In preparation for his upcoming matches, Alcarazmay find practicing on clay before switching to grass courts beneficial, as he prefers the surface for its slower pace and similarities to clay."
