Carlos Alcaraz helped his nation, Spain to a famous victory over Czechia at the Davis Cup finals in Valencia on Wednesday after his opponent Tomas Machac was forced to retire due to cramps.
Alcaraz lost the first set 6-7(3), but rallied to win the second set 6-1 and tie the match. After one hour and forty-eight minutes of play in Valencia during the first game of the decisive set, Machac quit. Machac struggled to walk toward the net, hunching on his knees as he was unable to continue. Alcaraz gave his opponent a hearty hug.
“I think after a really difficult and tough first set, I knew that I had to stay tough, stay positive and play long rallies,” Alcaraz said. “I think he played more matches in the American swing. He played tough matches in New York. Then coming here, different conditions, different everything. It’s difficult to get used to.”
The World No. 3 in the ATP Rankings trailed his opening serve by just four points and displayed excellent all-court play in his first encounter back since losing in the second round of the US Open. At Flushing Meadows, Machac achieved a career-best Slam performance, making it to the fourth round before losing to eventual semi-finalist Jack Draper.
Alcaraz, 21, is competing in Davis Cup for the first time since September 2022. He will later partner Marcel Granollers to go against Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek.
“It’s a special feeling for me playing here in Valencia, Davis Cup. I missed last year,” Alcaraz said. “This year, I’m really excited about it.”
Roberto Bautista Agut won the opening singles match against Jiri Lehecka 7-6(1), 6-4, ensuring that Spain would later secure a 2-0 win against the Czech Republic in Group B action.
Spain’s next tie will be against France on Friday. Czechia meets Australia on Thursday.
Italy defeated Brazil 2-0 in Group A thanks to the efforts of Matteo Arnaldi and Matteo Berrettini. 18-year-old Joao Fonseca of #NextGenATP was defeated by Berrettini 6-1, 7-6(5); in the second-set tie-break, the Italian came back from 0/4 to force a deciding match. After a nail-biting three hours and forty-nine minute struggle, Arnaldi, 23, defeated Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(5).
After tripping and falling at the back of the court in the third set tie-break, the World No. 33 survived a late scare. Nevertheless, Arnaldi ignored the discomfort and carried on with his winning charge.
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