(Buenos Aires) Argentina Open favorite and world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz reached his first final on Saturday since winning the United States Open.
Alcaraz beat fellow Spaniard Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals.
Alcaraz will play Sunday against the tournament’s second seed, Cameron Norrie, who will be in his second final of the year after beating Juan Pablo Varillas 7-6(5), 6-4.
PHOTO LUIS ROBAYO, FRANCE PRESS AGENCY
Briton Cameron Norrie, Saturday
Alcaraz lost just one set in the tournament, their first of the year due to a right leg injury. Novak Djokovic had also taken advantage of the Spaniard’s absence from the Australian Open at the start of the year to win the first major tournament of 2023, and thus regain first place in the world.
Alcaraz lost their last clash against Norrie, played in Cincinnati in August. However, he leads their career duels with three wins in four games.
Norrie will be aiming for a fifth career singles title. In 2021 he triumphed in Indian Wells and Los Cabos on hard courts. Then in 2022, Norrie won in Delray Beach, on hard courts, and in Lyon, on clay.