Vienna provided the stage.
Carlos Alcaraz brought the entertainment.
And Alex de Minaur had the difficult job of finding an answer.

The Spaniard defeated the Australian 6–1, 6–4 to win his first Erste Bank Open title, finishing the week without dropping a set.

Five matches. One trophy. Plenty for the tennis lovers to enjoy.

Carlos gets straight down to business

A final against De Minaur demands patience. The Australian can chase down shots that would already be winners against most opponents. You have to be prepared to play the extra ball—and then perhaps another.

Alcaraz had his answer ready.

He broke immediately, built a 4–0 lead and took the opening set 6–1. That is a difficult scoreboard to look at when you have spent the week earning your place in a final.

But the score alone does not explain the challenge. Against Carlos, defending one corner can leave the other exposed. Move back to deal with the power and suddenly there is space for the softer touch.

He gives an opponent plenty to think about. Often with very little time to do the thinking.

De Minaur makes him work

Credit to the Australian. The second set became a proper contest.

De Minaur stayed with Alcaraz, saved a break point while serving at 3–4 and levelled at 4–4. There was still a final to be won.

This was a useful test of the Spaniard’s patience. An emphatic first set does not entitle you to an easy second. You still have to earn the closing games.

Carlos did.

A finish worth watching again

And then came championship point.

A drop shot. A lob. A cross-court forehand to finish.

Three different questions in one rally, with the trophy waiting at the end of it.

That is the appeal of Alcaraz. The power catches your attention, but the imagination keeps you watching. There is always the possibility that the next exchange will take a direction you did not expect.

What a way to close a final.

Another week to build on

A title without losing a set speaks to consistency as much as brilliance. The spectacular shots make the highlights, but getting through an entire tournament requires concentration between those moments.

In Vienna, Alcaraz supplied both.

For De Minaur, there is disappointment, but reaching the final still represents a strong week. He made the second set competitive and forced Carlos to find the finish.

For Alcaraz, there is a new city on the trophy list—and another reminder of why he is such compelling viewing.

Power when he needs it.
Touch when he sees it.
And the confidence to try something special with a title on the line.

Vienna, take a bow. Carlos gave you a final flourish to remember.

Wat say the tennis lovers—is Alcaraz the most entertaining player to watch when his game comes together?

Author: swoosh0018

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