World no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will not lead Spain at the upcoming Davis Cup Finals Group Stage at home in Valencia. Carlos suffered the US Open semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev on Friday night, deciding to rest his body and skip the next week’s national duties.
Albert Ramos will replace Alcaraz, and Spain will have to work hard to oust Serbia, South Korea and the Czech Republic. Carlos failed to defend last year’s US Open crown and will stand over 3000 ATP points behind Novak Djokovic on the ATP ranking list if the Serb lifts the trophy on Sunday.
Carlos beat Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final, setting the semi-final duel against the former US Open winner Daniil Medvedev. The Russian ousted the Spaniard 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and 19 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It was a high-quality clash, with more winners than unforced errors on each tally. However, Medvedev played better in the decisive moments, fending off eight out of nine break chances and delivering four breaks from seven opportunities.
Carlos Alcaraz will not compete for Spain at next week’s Davis Cup Group Stage.
Daniil dominated with his first serve, taking 20 points more than Carlos and remaining on the title course.
Alcaraz made a better start, serving well and pressuring his rival’s serve in the early stages. Daniil survived deuces in the second game and two break points in the fourth to lock the result at 2-2. They served well in the remaining games and introduced a tie break.
The Russian grabbed two mini-breaks at 4-3, creating two set points and seizing the first with a forehand down the line winner for 7-6 after 56 minutes. Daniil was the only player on the court in the second set, serving well and breaking Carlos two times.
Medvedev broke in the second game, creating more break chances two games later. Alcaraz denied them before losing serve again in game six after Medvedev’s incredible backhand.Daniil held at 30 in game seven to wrap up the set 6-1, building a massive advantage after an hour and 33 minutes.
Alcaraz stepped in in the third set, serving well and seeking a desired break. He broke the Russian with a lob winner, opening a 3-1 gap. The young gun fired a service winner in the ninth game to clinch the set and extend his chances.
Medvedev denied three break chances in the fourth set’s third game and gained a boost. Alcaraz squandered seven game points at 2-3, experiencing a costly break after Medvedev’s sharp return and falling behind. Daniil served for the victory in game nine and faced three break points.
He denied them and converted the fourth match point with a smash winner at the net, emerging at the top and arranging the title clash versus Novak Djokovic. After missing the Davis Cup action next week, Alcaraz should be back on the court in Beijing from September 28.
