Alcaraz Sets Norrie Final In Buenos Aires
Carlos Alcaraz is making the most of his 2023 tour debut. This week in Buenos Aires, the teen star has advanced to the final in his first event and Saturday he cruised past countryman Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-2, 6-2.
Alcaraz dominated breaking five times. The 19-year-old won the last 5 points and 8 of the last 10 in the win.
“It’s a really special moment for me,” Alcaraz said after the 77-minute victory. “I was a little bit down after the injury, so I had to recover in those four months the confidence and the rhythm. Coming back for my first tournament of 2023 and making the final is so special for me.”
Bernabe Zapata Miralles drops to 0-2 against Top 10 players and 0-2 against Alcaraz.
The win puts the former No. 1 into his 9th career final where he will meet the second-seeded Cameron Norrie.
The British No. 1 topped fellow 27-year-old Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru 7-6(7-5), 6-4. Norrie advances his 13th career final. He is seeking his 5th career title.
“It’s going to be a tough one for sure regardless of who I play,” Norrie of the final. “I lost a tough final in Auckland, so hopefully I can get some good feelings back tomorrow in the final.”
Both Zapata Miralles and Varillas were appearing in their first ATP semifinal.
In the final, Alcaraz leads Norrie 3-1 in their tour-level meetings. Alcaraz will seek 7th career title while for Norrie a 5th.
“I played a couple of times against him. A really, really tough player,” Alcaraz said of Norrie. “I know that I have to give everything I have in the final. I’m going to say it’s going to be a really tough final, but at the same time a beautiful one.”
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