Nicolas Jarry upsets Carlos Alcaraz to reach Argentina Open final, Jannik Sinner makes Rotterdam Open final
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Updated 18/02/2024 at 15:45 GMT
Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner continued his impressive early-season form by reaching the final of the Rotterdam Open by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 6-2 6-4 in their semi-final match on Saturday evening. Later on Saturday, Carlos Alcaraz suffered an upset defeat when he lost in straight sets to Chile's Nicolas Jarry in the semi-finals of the Argentina Open.
'My dream is to become No. 1 in the world' - Sinner eyeing top-ranked status
Nicolas Jarry reached the finals of the Argentina Open with a 7-6(2) 6-3 win against Carlos Alcaraz, while Jannik Sinner beat Tallon Griekspoor in Rotterdam.
Alcaraz defeated Andrea Vavassori in Friday's quarter-final in straight sets, while his Chilean opponent Jarry had defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry when the Argentine dropped out injured with the scores set at one set all.
Alcaraz, the world No. 2, is looking for his first trophy of the season after losing in the quarter-finals of January’s Australian Open.
The 6’ 6” Jarry held his nerve in the first set and delivered five aces compared to the Spaniard, who managed none, and the set went with serve, forcing a tie-break.
At that point Jarry edged ahead as he took the tie-break by an emphatic 7-2 margin, with his returns just as effective as his service game, and nullifying much of the threat offered by the power of Alcaraz.
The second set went with serve as Jarry went 4-3 up, but he then struck to secure a break to move just one game from victory, and the final.
Alcaraz put up some stiff resistance as the two fought over an extended period in the last frame when he took Jarry to deuce, but he remained composed to claim his win.
Jarry will play Facundo Diaz Acosta on Sunday, who defeated Federico Coria in straight sets in the tournament's other semi-final.
Speaking after his win, Jarry said: "Carlos is one of the best players so it means a lot, especially after the battles I've had a couple of days ago. It's been very tough physically, so I'm very happy to be able to come back.
"I didn't start very well and couldn't win points on his serve, but I came back little by little."
Earlier in the day, Sinner defeated Griekspoor 6-2 6-4 in the semi-finals in Rotterdam.
Sinner played a little over one set before enjoying a walkover against Milos Raonic in the quarter-final, while Griekspoor played a tough-fought win over Emil Ruusuvuori in his last-eight match-up.
Sinner is enjoying an exceptional start to the season after winning this year's first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, and followed that up with the Open Sud de France two weeks ago.
27-year-old Griekspoor was searching for his first title of the new season, but the Italian broke early and then moved 3-1 up.
Sinner continued his success to move 5-1 ahead and a game from taking the first set with ease, with a late success from Griekspoor meaning the Italian won it 6-2.
Griekspoor started brightly in the second set as he looked to level things up, and was 3-2 up with the match going with serve.
However, the 22-year-old broke to move 5-4 clear before claiming the decisive set in just 82 minutes, meaning he is yet to suffer a defeat since his loss to Novak Djokovic in last year's ATP finals. He has now won 14 straight matches.
“Today, in a practice session beforehand, we tried to keep the intensity quite high, trying to feel the court and get into the rhythm a little bit,” said Sinner after his win. “I knew that today I had to raise the level, which I have done, and obviously I’m glad that I can play once more here in the final in Rotterdam.”
He added: "It would mean a lot [to win the title]. It’s a special place, as I’ve said many times. The tournament believed in me years ago, and this is my second final. Last year I lost in three sets, so every final is different.
“Let’s see what’s coming. I know [De Minaur] quite well, he knows me well, and I guess he’s going to change a couple of things. So tomorrow I have to be really prepared and ready and we will see what I am capable of.”
Sinner will play Alex de Minaur in Saturday’s final, the 16th tour final of his career, after the Australian defeated Grigor Dimitrov in the tournament’s other semi-final.
In the Delray Beach Open, Taylor Paul defeated Frances Tiafoe in 6-2 6-2 in their semi-final match, with Paul sending down eight aces and converting all four of his break points.
Taylor Fritz takes on Marcos Giron later on Saturday in the tournament's other semi-final.
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