“I did it for Rafa”: Alcaraz keeps Spain in Davis Cup tie, down to doubles
After Rafael Nadal’s earlier defeat, Alcaraz kept his country in it
Carlos Alcaraz (Oscar J Barroso/AFP7/Shutterstock/SIPA)
Carlos Alcaraz came back from 4-2 down in the first set to beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (0), 6-3 to force a Davis Cup doubles decider.
A frustrated Griekspoor threw his racquet when 5-0 down in the tiebreak, but it did not halt Alcaraz’s momentum.
Indeed, in the closing stages of the first set and into the second, he won 15 points in a row.
“I had to stay there,” Alcaraz said afterwards. “I tried to stay positive.
“I thought my chances were going to happen again so I just stayed there, played good tennis, and happy that in the end I got it in two sets.”
On the topic of Nadal, Alcaraz said: “I watched the whole match…It’s an emotional day. Once you step on the court, you have to forget everything and show your best tennis.”
He concluded: “I did it for Rafa.”
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