Carlos Alcaraz discusses his approach to playing important points

Carlos Alcaraz has discussed his approach to playing important points in matches and highlighted his intent to be aggressive and come to the net.

The two-time major winner also declared he feels his game matches up “pretty well” against Daniil Medvedev ahead of his 2023 US Open semi-final clash with the Russian.

Alcaraz delivered a superb display on the big points of his straight-set quarter-final victory over world No 12 Alexander Zverev. The Spaniard saved all five break points he faced on serve and converted all four break points he created on the German’s delivery.

The 20-year-old is looking to defend his US Open crown, having defeated Casper Ruud in four sets in the final of the 2022 event. He will lose his world No 1 ranking to Novak Djokovic, who he could face in Sunday’s final in New York, following the tournament.

Speaking after his quarter-final victory against Zverev, Alcaraz spoke about his method when playing break points on his or his opponent’s serve.

“Well, honestly, it’s differently (smiling). When I am facing break point down, I try to, you know, I try not to think about this break point down. I try to think about it’s a normal point. Try to do the things that I was doing well,” explained the Spaniard in his post-match press conference.

“Trying to play my style, trying to go aggressive. If I can go to the net, I go to the net. I try to do it in break point down, and of course in break point when he was serving as well, you know, I try to, if I can return volley, I do it. If I go to the net in the second ball, I do it. That’s what I’m thinking about in that moment.”

The Murcian then admitted his game is well-suited to facing world No 3 Medvedev, who he has comfortably defeated twice this season.

“Well, last matches that I played against Daniil I played a tactical game played perfectly. You know, I did pretty well all the things that I had to do against him, so I think my game suits pretty well against that type of opponent, you know, like Daniil,” said Alcaraz.

“So I gonna try to do the same things that I did, for example, in Indian Wells and in Wimbledon, and hopefully to get the win and play the same level that I played in that matches.”

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