Sinner* 6-4 7-6 1-4 Alcaraz
Down 0-15, the perfect wide serve and thumping forehand into the opposite corner from Alcaraz.
Sinner puts a backhand wide on the stretch – he is not feeling great right now.
His body language never gives much away but he must have some serious thinking to do.
At the other end, Alcaraz is pumped and takes a long look to see if his opponent will give anything away.
Another forehand gets swatted away before Sinner sends a stretching backhand long.
Alcaraz bounds to his chair. He believes.
Sinner 6-4 7-6 1-3 Alcaraz* – Alcaraz breaks
First point to Sinner as Alcaraz frames one way long and directly into the stands.
A forehand lands needlessly long from Sinner for 15-15 but he moves to 40-15 thanks to more controlled but powerful hitting.
An Italian bounce smash then plants into the middle of the net – prompting a pained reaction from his team.
And there are more concerns when he allows Alcaraz to get back to deuce.
Sinner gets to advantage but is pegged back by an impeccable drop shot and backhand pass up the line.
But on break point… Alcaraz gets it!
Thrilling rally, pulsating stuff, Alcaraz just about dictating things and Sinner struggled to find a way to overturn the rally before netting.
Big “VAMOS” from the Spaniard who is turning this set on its head, here.
Sinner* 6-4 7-6 1-2 Alcaraz
Alcaraz attempts another delicious drop shot… but there is not quite enough on it and it catches the net.
But he gets to 30-15 and Sinner’s level has just dropped a little.
His mood is not helped when he plants a defensive ball on the line – it is called out then corrected so a let is played, which Alcaraz wins by going on the front foot.
A smooth wide ace.
And Alcaraz leads in a set for the first time for a very long time.
Just about two hours 30 minutes on the clock.
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