‘I truly believe a star is born’, declares former world number two on Carlos Alcaraz

A two-time major finalist believes Carlos Alcaraz showed his bravery and that he is “ready to be a big tennis player” by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas at the US Open.

Former world number two Alex Corretja spoke of being “very proud” of fellow Spaniard Alcaraz and praised his development on hard courts at such a young age.

World number 55 Alcaraz downed third seed Tsitsipas in a thrilling five-set third round contest at Flushing Meadows on Friday.

The 18-year-old – who is playing the event for the first time – will face world number 141 Peter Gojowczyk in the fourth round in New York on Sunday.

“I am very proud of Carlos because what he has just done is huge, it’s so difficult – not just to beat Tstisipas, which is almost impossible. It’s the way he did it – how brave he was,” Corretja told Eurosport.

“At the beginning of the fifth set, he looked very tired physically but then he came back strongly and kept on hitting winners from the forehand side, from the backhand side, with the serve.

“I am exhausted, but I have to say we need these kind of matches. We love tennis because of these emotions, I have to say. He has only played a five set match once before, so I today truly believe a star is born.

“An 18-year-old, coming from Spain, you usually play very well on clay but to develop your game that well on the hard courts at that age is not easy. And to defeat the number three seed Tsitsipas 7-6 in the fifth set – that shows you are brave and you are ready to be a big tennis player.”

Read >> US Open BREAKING NEWS

Watch >> US Open LIVE SCORES

Catch up >> US Open ‘Second Service’

Enjoy >> US Open LIVE COMMENTARY

Order >> US Open SPECIAL MAGAZINE

Follow >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube

Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club