Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, ranked second in the world, qualified for the final of the Argentine Open tennis championship last night, holding on to the hope of winning his first title in 2023 after returning from an injury that kept him nearly four months away.
Alcaraz, who suffered an abdominal muscle injury at the Paris Masters in November, beat compatriot Bernabé Zapata Miraes 6-2 6-2 in the semi-finals and will face Britain’s Cameron Norrie for the title.
Alcaraz, 19, withdrew from the Australian Open due to a leg injury and lost the top rankings to Novak Djokovic, who won the year’s first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.
Alcaraz said, “I was a bit frustrated after the injury, so I had to recover within four months and regain confidence and the rhythm of the game.”
“Returning to the first tournament in 2023 and reaching the final is very special for me,” he added.
Alcaraz has won three of his four matches against Nuri and expects a tough test later in the day in the 250-point championship on clay.
He continued, “I know that I have to do my best in the final. It will not be an easy confrontation, but it is beautiful at the same time.”
