Spanish top-seed Carlos Alcaraz continued his impressive return from injury by advancing to the Argentina Open final on Saturday with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over compatriot Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
Alcaraz will meet Cameron Norrie in Sunday’s final after the British No. 2 seed overcame Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru 7-6 (5), 6-4 on the outdoor clay of the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
“It’s a really special moment for me,” said Alcaraz, who before the tournament had not played since early November because of an abdominal tear.
“I was a little bit down after the injury, so I had to recover in those four months the confidence and the rhythm. Coming back for my first tournament of 2023 and making the final is so special for me.”
The world No. 2 won 73% of his first service points and 55% when returning to take the match in one hour and 17 minutes.
Norrie was also in sublime form, winning 76% of points on his first serve against the unseeded Varillas and showing a complete array of ground strokes.
“I played a couple of times against him. [He is] a really, really tough player,” Alcaraz said. “I know that I have to give everything I have in the final. I’m going to say it’s going to be a really tough final, but at the same time a beautiful one,” he added. ■
