Here we go then. Incredible point from Alcaraz! Tiafoe has two chances to smash a volley away at the net but twice Alcaraz gets there and then puts a backhand away for 2-0. He pumps his fist repeatedly with delight.
Then he paints Tiafoe into both corners with increasing intensity, sending him the wrong way as he curves a winner past a helpless Tiafoe for 3-0. Then he comes to the net, some questionable shot selection from Tiafoe, a lob goes long, and Alcaraz is 4-0 up.
He looks a different beast at the moment, the Spaniard. Ace. 5-0. He is absolutely clutch. Then Alcaraz overcooks a forehand, 5-1, but in twisting in response to Alcaraz’s inside-out shot, Tiafoe looked to jar his knee badly.
With a tight black brace on his right knee after hurting his knee ligaments at Queen’s, Tiafoe let out a cry of pain before staying on the ground for 30 seconds or so. Eventually, he rose to his feet, drawing cheers from the crowd. Alcaraz sportingly checks he’s OK.
But it doesn’t seem to have affected him too badly there! Glorious drop shot, Alcaraz run ragged, Tiafoe bends a lob in an easy arc over the Spaniard and on the line. What a point. 5-2 Alcaraz, but Alcaraz has the serve.
Massive second serve, return wide, 6-2, four set points…