LONDON – Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz was pushed all the way through in a thrilling contest by fellow Spanish yarder Jam Munar, scoring a 6-4, 6-7(7)7-5 victory before reaching the Queens Club Championship Quarter Final on Thursday.
Alcaraz recently came to the top in the epic French Open Finals with Jannik Sinner. This second round clash in London may not reach the same level of vertigo, but the British crowd was put into a fascinating battle.
World Number 2 was a deciding set injury, but he showed once again his strength as Alcaraz extended his run, winning 15 games, the longest winning streak of his career.
“It was a really tough fight today,” Alcaraz told court for more than three hours.
“He’s a great competitor and showed how difficult it is to beat him.”
2023 champion Alcaraz seemed to be in control after tempering his winnings of the opening set, saving four breaks and set points under the second break and 5-4, then forcing his etiquette to tiebreakers.
The pair traded an early break at the first four points that didn’t hold either player before Munar’s double fault allowed Alkaraz to take a 5-4 lead. He broke the ace, but hit his own double fault at matchpoint.
Muna has him pay this time to force a decisive set.
After Alcaraz rose 2-0, the French Open champions broke in the next two service games, with Muna taking a 4-2 lead.
However, Alcaraz had not yet been made, and two more serve breaks sealed off a hard-earned victory as he continued preparing for Wimbledon.
“I’m proud of the level I showed today. It’s my second match in Grass this year,” Alcaraz said.
“There were moments where I struggled mentally and physically. I don’t know if I’m still standing here. But I’m really happy that they gave me another chance in the quarter final.”
Alcaraz faces French lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech after a 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory over American Reilly Opelka. Rinderknech lost both his last loss in Queens in 2023, his previous meeting with Alcaraz.
Other locations in the Queen’s Club draw. British second Jacob Fianry won French qualifier Corentin Mutett 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 to reach the first ATP Tour Quarter Final.
“I’m so happy to be in my first quarterfinals. It’s even better to do that here in the UK,” says Fearnley.
“I stuck to my game plan and tried to be offensive. I did that better with the third set. The results speak for themselves.”
Fearnley took a 3-0 lead and while Moutet broke, the Brits responded quickly with another break of his own to facilitate the first set.
Moute similarly second, sailing 3-0 before clinching the set to force the decider.
The 23-year-old will face Gili Lehecca after the Czech Republic defeated Canada’s Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 6-2.
