Alcaraz keeps Spain alive in Malaga: 'I did it for Rafa'

When the pressure peaks and the moment demands brilliance, Carlos Alcaraz almost never falters.

The 21-year-old powered past Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3 on Tuesday evening to level Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final tie with the Netherlands at 1-1. After Rafael Nadal, competing in his final tour-level event, had fallen to Botic van de Zandschulp in straight-sets, it was down to Alcaraz to prolong his idol’s career.

“It’s an emotional day, but once you step on the court you have to forget everything and show your best tennis,” said Alcaraz. “It’s the Davis Cup, it's a really important tournament for me, I think for everyone. I try to play my best tennis, get the win, and give Spain the chance to qualify and win. I did it for Rafa.

“I started the match pretty well, it was just that one game that I lost the focus a little bit. I missed some easy forehands and let him get the break, so I had to stay there, it was just one game. I tried to stay positive. I’m really happy that I got it in two sets.”

VAMOS CARLITOS 🇪🇸 @carlosalcaraz keeps Spain alive, leveling the tie against the Netherlands! 1⃣ - 1⃣@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/XOpAPNPQqf

Trailing 2-4 in the first set, Alcaraz turned the match on its head with some typically scintillating tennis. The flawless end to the first set was the second time that Alcaraz won a tie-break 7/0 against Griekspoor in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, which the Spaniard now leads 5-0.

Alcaraz since returned to the court with Marcel Granollers to play in the decisive doubles rubber, but came unstuck by an inspired Wesley Koolhof, who is also playing in his final tour-level event. The 35-year-old, alongside Van de Zandschulp, secured a 7-6(4), 7-6(3) triumph to seal a 2-1 victory for The Netherlands over Spain. 

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