Present on the central court of the Nice Lawn Tennis Club on Friday and Saturday, Carlos Alcaraz will not tread it on Sunday, for the final of the Hopman Cup. Because Spain, represented by world number 1 and Rebeka Masarova, lost (1-2) in the decisive double despite a match point against Croatia by Borna Coric and Donna Vekic.
With a second defeat in as many games, Spain will not go to the final, unlike Croatia, still undefeated, who will start as favorites on Sunday in the final against the Switzerland of Leandro Riedi and Céline Naef, ranked beyond 150th place in singles.
A super long tie-break
The meeting started with a quick victory (6-2, 6-1) for Vekic against Masarova (72nd). Like Friday against David Goffin, Alcaraz allowed Spain to return to equality by winning the super tie-break against Coric, 15th in the world, (6-3, 6-7 [6], 10-5). But despite the quick win in the first set, the Spaniards ended up giving in the doubles after a super long tie-break (1-6, 6-4, 14-12). The final will be broadcast on L’Équipe live on Sunday from 4 p.m.
