In today’s Wimbledon quarter-finals, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune are set to make Open Era history as they face each other on Centre Court. This match holds particular significance as it marks the first time in the Open Era that two men under the age of 21 have competed in a Wimbledon quarter-final. However, despite their previous friendship, both players must set aside their old camaraderie as they vie for Championship glory.
Reflecting on their past, Danilo Raicevic and Lovre Erceg’s defeat against Alcaraz and Rune in the prestigious Petit As under 14 event in 2017 seems inevitable in hindsight. Despite the loss, Raicevic and Erceg can take pride in the five games they won against their opponents that day. As the much-anticipated clash between Alcaraz and Rune approaches, Rune reminisced about their time playing together as doubles partners. He acknowledged their desire to cover the court individually, praising Alcaraz’s exceptional skills and expressing his hopes of playing doubles with him in the future.
In the present, Alcaraz, a 20-year-old Spaniard, expressed his excitement for the upcoming match and believed that Rune feels the same. While they haven’t communicated directly, they share a deep understanding of each other due to their long-standing friendship. Alcaraz recalled first seeing Rune at a tournament in Mallorca when they were just 12 or 11 years old, highlighting the genuine warmth between them. However, this friendship will be tested as they embark on what is expected to be a lifelong Grand Slam rivalry, with today’s match being the first chapter.
Predicting the outcome of the match based on the numbers alone proves inconclusive. Both players have similar first serve statistics, and their forehand and backhand winners are almost on par. Alcaraz, being the world No. 1 and having already won a major title at the US Open, enters as the favorite. His game displays greater versatility, characterized by sharp volleys and an elusive drop shot that challenges opponents to read his moves. Notably, Alcaraz has faced tough opponents like Nicolas Jarry and Matteo Berrettini on his journey to the quarter-finals.
On the other hand, Rune presents a solid and consistent game, likely aiming to engage in backhand rallies with Alcaraz. When asked about one shot they would like to borrow from each other, Rune eventually chose Alcaraz’s forehand drop shot, while Alcaraz highlighted Rune’s exceptional backhand. The clash between their contrasting styles promises an exciting and captivating spectacle for spectators.
As the match unfolds, it is intriguing to consider the potential conversations between Danilo and Lovre, who once faced Alcaraz and Rune themselves, reminiscing about the day they managed to snatch a few games from these two talented young players who now stand at the pinnacle of the tennis world.
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