US Open 2021: Carlos Alcaraz takes Stefanos Tsitsipas out of the tournament in a dramatic five-set match

“A star is just being born here,” said Eurosport expert Boris Becker, who co-commented on the game.

Gojowczyk and Alcaraz have already secured prize money of 265,000 US dollars (around 220,000 euros) each – for Alcaraz more than a third of the career prize money he has earned so far (664,590 dollars).

“That was the best match of my career. The fact that it was against Tsitsipas makes it something special,” said Alcaraz happily. However, the 18-year-old had made a truly impressive performance against Tsitsipas.

Alcaraz beats 61 winners against Tsitsipas

The Spaniard from Murcia fearlessly let hard blows rain down on the Greeks and hit a total of 61 winners. Alcaraz also played very variably, hit the lines, let Tsitsipas run and also sprinkled clever stop balls again and again.

The 18-year-old quickly took a 4-0 lead at the start. Tsitsipas had another break, but the first set clearly went 6: 3 to the Spaniard.

After the first sentence, Tsitsipas took a break. However, the Greek did not disappear to the toilet for a long time, as was the last controversial one, but instead allowed himself to be treated at the place on the foot that he had recently represented.

Tsitsipas hurries at the toilet break

In the second round, Alcaraz had the better start again, up to 3: 1, before the teenager’s engine stuttered for the first time and the fourth in the world ranked finally found his game – 6: 4 for the favorite.

Tsitsipas also marched in the third set, already leading 5: 2 – but Alcaraz suddenly hit everything again, equalized and won the tie in the tiebreak (7: 2).

Now Tsitsipas pulled the toilet joker – but this time the Greek jogged from the court, accompanied by a few whistles, and came back after three and a half minutes – after a much shorter time than in the first round against Andy Murray, which had shocked the British . Alcaraz also went to the quiet place for two minutes.

Alcaraz needs treatment

After that, things didn’t go at all for the Spaniard – Tsitsipas handed out a bagel in no time at all (6-0).

It was now Alcaraz’s turn to seek treatment. The physio had to move in and treat the 18-year-old on several muscle groups, including the adductors. Alcaraz also received a painkiller from the tournament doctor who was also called.

In the final sentence a gripping exchange of blows developed, in which only Tsitsipas could develop a break chance. Alcaraz always had to follow suit with his service, but mostly did it confidently – so the tiebreaker had to decide.

Alcaraz thanks the audience in New York

There the youngster got off to a better start, scored the first points and moved away from 4: 2 to 6: 3. Alcaraz missed his first two match points on his own serve, but the third at Service Tsitsipas converted and sank to the ground in the Arthur Ashe Stadium to the thunderous cheers of the spectators.

Curious: Tsitsipas had eight points more than Alcaraz in the end, but lost the match (167: 159).

“Without the audience I couldn’t have won the match,” said the winner: “At the beginning of the fourth set I was down. Therefore: Thank you for pushing me,” said Alcaraz, who now has to take on the German Gojowczyk .

With Alexander Zverev and Oscar Otte, two more German men have the chance to reach the last sixteen on Saturday. Zverev meets the former world number eight Jack Sock from the USA. Otte has to deal with the Italian Andreas Seppi.

(with SID)