LONDON, June 25 (BNA): After claiming his maiden grasscourt title on Sunday and regaining the No. 1 ranking, an increasingly confident Carlos Alcaraz said he sees himself as one of the favorites to win Wimbledon next month.
Despite struggling at times in the first set, Alcaraz beat Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Queen’s Club Championship, reports the Associated Press.
It was only the third tournament in Alcaraz’s young grass career after two disappointing performances at Wimbledon.
This year at Wimbledon it could be different. The victory saw the 20-year-old Spaniard overtake Novak Djokovic in the world rankings and confirmed the US Open champion as a serious contender for the Serbian title at Wimbledon. Alcaraz lost in the fourth round to Yannick Sener last year.
Playing his first final on grass, Alcaraz had to save two break points against de Minaur in the eighth game of the first set, broke in the next game and then served for the set.
Alcaraz won the only break point of the second set, when de Minaur double-faulted, and sealed the title on his first match point when the Australian sent a long comeback.
“It means a lot to have my name on the trophy,” Alcaraz said. “It was great to play here as so many legends won. Seeing my name surrounded by great champions is amazing.”
Wimbledon starts on July 3.
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