Carlos Alcaraz continued his dominant run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, booking a spot in the final by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime, thereby ensuring himself at least a silver medal.
The 21-year-old Spaniard will compete in the Olympic final, aiming for the gold medal, which seems within his grasp given his current form. Alcaraz’s recent performances have been stellar, having won his first Roland Garros title and his second Wimbledon Championship earlier this summer. Adding an Olympic gold to his achievements would cap off an extraordinary season.
To reach the final, Alcaraz had to overcome Auger-Aliassime, who made a surprising run to the medal rounds, defeating top players like Daniil Medvedev and Casper Ruud, a two-time finalist in Paris. However, the Canadian couldn’t match the intensity of Alcaraz. The World No. 3 dominated the match, continuing his exceptional form from the past two months.
In their encounter, Auger-Aliassime struggled against Alcaraz, just as he had in previous matches, including one earlier this year at Indian Wells. The Canadian faced a tough start, narrowly winning the first game after a deuce but getting broken in his next service game due to Alcaraz’s relentless pressure. Auger-Aliassime tried to play aggressively but lacked consistency, leading to numerous unforced errors and falling behind 1-4 early in the first set.
Alcaraz maintained heavy pressure, winning the first set 6-1, as Auger-Aliassime had no answer to his superior play. The second set saw a brief resurgence from the Canadian, who managed to lead 40-15 in his second service game. However, Alcaraz swiftly turned the tide, breaking his opponent’s serve and racing to a 4-1 lead. This pivotal moment crushed Auger-Aliassime’s hopes of a comeback, and Alcaraz comfortably closed out the match with another 6-1 set.
With this victory, Alcaraz secured a chance to play for the gold medal, leaving Auger-Aliassime to contest for bronze. The Spaniard’s performance has been unparalleled, and he now stands on the brink of adding an Olympic gold medal to his impressive list of achievements.