Carlos Alcaraz shows respect for Richard Gasquet ahead of Umag final

Rising Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz admitted he felt "really happy" after making his maiden ATP final in Umag. 

Alcaraz, 18, beat No. 1 seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2 7-6 (3) in the Umag semifinal. 

Alcaraz, who is having his Umag debut this week, is now one win away from winning his maiden ATP title.

"I have a lot of emotions right now," Alcaraz said, per the ATP website. "It is my first ATP final, so I am enjoying everything here in Umag. I am really happy right now."

Alcaraz will be battling former world No. 7 Gasquet for the Umag title. 

Gasquet, 35, is a 15-time ATP champion. 

"I know Gasquet is a really good tennis player. He's played a lot of finals and won a lot of tournaments. This one is my first ATP final," Alcaraz said. "I think he has a lot of experience. I have to handle the nerves and everything [well]."

Alcaraz routinely handled Ramos-Vinolas 

Alcaraz made a pefect start to the match, having claimed back-to-back breaks to take a 3-0 lead. 

Ramos-Vinolas had a chance to get one break back in the fourth game but Alcaraz saved a break point to take a 4-0 lead. 

Alcaraz failed to convert a set point in the seventh game but served out for the opener in the eighth game. 

After winning the first set, Alcaraz broke Ramos-Vinolas in the opening game of the second set. 

Alcaraz had a chance to go up by a double break but Ramos-Vinolas saved four break points in the fifth game. 

Ramos-Vinolas then broke back Alcaraz in the sixth game to level the set at three games apiece. 

Alcaraz again a broke Ramos-Vinolas in the seventh game but Ramos-Vinolas again broke back in the eighth game. 

Alcaraz claimed his third break of the set in the 11th game but failed to serve out for the match in the 12th game as Ramos-Vinolas forced a tie-break. 

After blowing a lead by a break three times in the set, Alcaraz regrouped and dominated Ramos-Vinolas in the tie-break to book a straight-set win. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3BDARlW