Carlos Alcaraz secured his first grass-court title with victory over Alex de Minaur within the remaining at Queen’s Membership on Sunday earlier than declaring he is one of many favourites to win Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old Spaniard will now overtake Novak Djokovic as world No 1 on Monday, and confirmed he will likely be a significant contender to take the Serb’s crown at Wimbledon subsequent month, with a commanding 6-Four 6-Four win.
Alcaraz stated: “It means quite a bit to have my title on the trophy. It was particular to play right here the place so many legends have received. To see my title surrounded by the nice champions is superb.
“I began the event not very nicely, particularly my motion on the grass, however it’s been a tremendous week.”
In baking temperatures, it was solely Alcaraz’s third event on grass, however the best way he marched by way of the draw augurs nicely for his prospects at Wimbledon the place he will likely be high seed.
A break of serve in every set proved sufficient to beat Australian No 1 De Minaur, who competed nicely however had no reply to the tempo and energy of the favorite.
For instance when De Minaur, 24, created the match’s first break level, at 4-Three within the opener, Alcaraz merely rolled out a 137mph ace.
A high-quality first set swung the best way of the highest seed when De Minaur despatched a backhand broad, after which a forehand lengthy, to present Alcaraz the break.
The teen from Murcia wrapped up the 49-minute set with an ace earlier than taking a medical time-out for therapy on his proper thigh.
Proper now I am feeling higher than the start of the week, that is apparent.
Regardless of the subject was, it didn’t appear to hassle Alcaraz an excessive amount of as he pressured one other break level at 2-2 within the second – and De Minaur picked the worst attainable time to throw in a primary double fault.
Victory was confirmed when De Minaur’s return floated lengthy and Alcaraz celebrated an 11th profession title, and certainly the primary of many on the lawns of London.
Alcaraz considers himself one of many favourites to win Wimbledon
In his first match at Queen’s he wanted a third-set tie-break to get previous French journeyman Arthur Rinderknech, however because the week wore on he grew in confidence on the floor and by Sunday seemed to the manor born.
“I had no expectations,” stated Alcaraz. “However you recognize, if I’ve no expectation, I am gonna win it.
“However truthfully, I’ve a whole lot of confidence proper now coming into Wimbledon. I ended the week taking part in on the excessive stage. So proper now I really feel one of many favourites to win Wimbledon.
“I’ve to get extra expertise on grass. Even when I win the title, I simply performed 11 matches in my profession on grass, so I’ve to get extra expertise, extra hours.
“However clearly after beating superb guys, nice gamers, and the extent that I performed, I take into account myself one of many favourites or one of many gamers to have the ability to win Wimbledon.
“I noticed a statistic that Novak has received extra matches in Wimbledon than the opposite high 20 gamers [put together]. What can I say about that, you recognize? I imply, Novak is the primary favorite to win Wimbledon. That is apparent.
“However I’ll attempt to play at this stage, to have probabilities to beat him or make the ultimate at Wimbledon.”
De Minaur had been hoping to match his British girlfriend Katie Boulter, who received a primary profession title in Nottingham final weekend, however he simply got here up brief.
He stated: “It has been an important week for me. We had been shut however I wasn’t fairly in a position to get it completed. Too good from Carlos.”
Bublik powers previous Rublev to win first grass title in Halle
Alexander Bublik battled his well beyond third seed Andrey Rublev 6-Three 3-6 6-Three thanks to 2 service breaks to win the Halle Open title.
It was additionally the 26-year-old’s second tour title after his win in Montpellier in 2022.
