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\nBack-to-back semis ✌️@carlosalcaraz | #TennisParadise https:\/\/t.co\/nTKgqeU25v<\/p>\n
\u2014 BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) 1679024118000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nItaly’s Sinner reached the final four with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over defending champion Taylor Fritz and now has a chance to avenge his loss to Alcaraz in a quarter-final thriller at the US Open last year.
That five-set battle lasted five hours and 15 minutes, its 2:50am finish the latest in US Open history. Alcaraz would go on to lift the trophy and become the youngest world number one in the history of the ATP rankings.<\/p>\n
\n\nLob it like it’s hot 🔥@felixtennis scores Thursday’s Shot of the Day#TennisParadise https:\/\/t.co\/5BsL6AKjFe<\/p>\n
\u2014 BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) 1679028202000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n“I’m really happy to play against him again,” Alcaraz said of facing Sinner. “Great battles.”
Alcaraz has slipped behind Novak Djokovic<\/a> in the rankings, but after injury delayed his 2023 season start to February the 19-year-old Spaniard has won one title at Buenos Aires<\/a> and reached the final at Rio de Janeiro.
Alcaraz hadn’t dropped a set in reaching the quarters, but Auger-Aliassime was the first top 10 player he has faced this year.<\/p>\n\n\n🗣🗣🗣@carlosalcaraz | #TennisParadise https:\/\/t.co\/jzLSSFxDsT<\/p>\n
\u2014 BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) 1679025924000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nThis time, Alcaraz was ready for him, saying his prior defeats to Auger-Aliassime had taught him to “stay there.”
“The previous matches, in Davis Cup it was close, I had my chances,” said Alcaraz, who last fell to the Canadian in Basel in October.<\/p>\n
\n\nHead. Heart. #TennisParadise https:\/\/t.co\/fzWKZAI6f2<\/p>\n
\u2014 BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) 1679025118000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n“In Basel I remember I give up a little bit. Today the goal of mine was to stay there. I knew that I was going to have my chances, (I) tried to take it.”
The two-hour clash was a thrilling display of athleticism and shot making from both players.<\/p>\n
\n\nFACTS ❤️🌴❤️🌴#TennisParadise | @carlosalcaraz https:\/\/t.co\/uLgTHvZ9pM<\/p>\n
\u2014 BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) 1679024648000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nAlcaraz saved the first break point he faced as he served out the first set, but after he broke to open the second Auger-Aliassime — who saved six match points in a fourth-round win over Tommy Paul — promptly broke back to set the tone for a tense back and forth battle.
Auger-Aliassime had already saved two break points in the 10th game when Alcaraz gave himself another with a backhand volley winner.<\/p>\n
\n\n🇮🇹 Into the history books 🇮🇹 Sinner becomes the first Italian man to reach the singles semifinals in tournament\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/mAMCteYrUC<\/p>\n
\u2014 BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) 1679015680000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nThe seven-minute game ended with Auger-Aliassime sending a backhand wide and convincingly served it out, finishing off the match with yet another forehand winner.
“He has a big serve, really big first serve,” said Alcaraz, who had never broken Auger-Aliassime’s serve before. “I tried to attack the second serve, tried to dominate the point, tried to play from the baseline — tried to be aggressive and take the opportunity when he is serving the second serve.”<\/p>\n
\n\nWould not want to be that ball 😬@janniksin | #TennisParadise https:\/\/t.co\/OHIyEjIUGH<\/p>\n
\u2014 BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) 1679013482000<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n