Carlos Alcaraz stumbles in ATP Buenos Aires semifinals, admits struggle to find true form

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faced a setback in the semi-finals of the ATP Buenos Aires tournament on Saturday, falling to Nicolas Jarry in straight sets. Alcaraz, a two-time Grand Slam champion, expressed disappointment and acknowledged being “far from my true level” following the defeat.

Having entered the tournament after a quarter-final exit at the Australian Open, Alcaraz aimed to secure his first final appearance since the Cincinnati Masters in August and clinch his first title since Wimbledon last July. However, his hopes were dashed by Jarry in a 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 defeat.

“It’s a difficult defeat for me,” Alcaraz confessed after the match. “It really hurts. There are lots of things to improve. I played good tennis but I am far from my true level.” The young Spaniard reflected on missed opportunities, particularly in the tie-break, and acknowledged the challenges of returning to clay after a long absence.

Alcaraz managed to break Jarry’s service in the second set, but he couldn’t maintain the advantage as Jarry swiftly responded. The turning point came when Jarry secured the decisive break in the eighth game, sealing Alcaraz’s fate in the tournament.

“It was a complicated tournament, the first on clay for a long time,” Alcaraz explained. “I didn’t take the opportunities I had, I didn’t play the tie-break well and it shows.” Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains determined to learn from the experience and elevate his game.

In the final, Jarry, currently ranked 21st in the world, will face Argentine wildcard Facundo Diaz Acosta, who is ranked 87th. The clash promises an intriguing battle between the seasoned Jarry and the relatively lower-ranked but ambitious Acosta, adding an element of unpredictability to the tournament’s culmination on Sunday.