Carlos Alcaraz excelled yesterday, as he put in one of his most comprehensive performances since returning from injury to defeat Daniil Medvedev.
His last appearance at the Vienna Open came back in 2021, where he lost in the semi-finals to Alexander Zverev.
The 23-year-old was keen not to suffer the same fate five years on.
Speaking on court, Carlos Alcaraz reacted to beating a top-five player for the first time since his injury.
Then, chatting with reporters in the mixed zone, he went into greater depth about the performance needed to beat Daniil Medvedev.
Carlos Alcaraz proud of his performance to beat Daniil Medvedev
He began with a word on his self-confidence and having the bravery to attack the match no matter the scoreline.
Alcaraz admitted: “I trusted my level all the time. Doesn’t matter what moment of the match it was, I trusted my tennis, and that I had to be aggressive, go for the big shots. I’m happy because in the tiebreak I made a couple of great points where I was really aggressive, so just really, really happy about it.”
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In both sets, the seven-time major champion broke first, but was instantly broken back by a stubborn Medvedev who was unwilling to go down without a fight.
Asked how he managed to stay so calm during these setbacks, Alcaraz added: “I stayed all the time; I was a break up in both sets, but the game right after, he broke me again.
“That moment was a little bit frustrating that I didn’t make the most of the break I made, but I’m happy with the way I stayed strong mentally and didn’t let those games affect my game and me mentally.”
Alcaraz admitted what he sometimes struggles with earlier this week, with his ability to overcome these obstacles hugely impressive.
Carlos Alcaraz secures his biggest win since returning from injury
There is a very valid argument to suggest that Medvedev was the most in-form ATP player on the planet going into yesterday’s semi-final, who was coming off the back of winning two titles and reaching three semi-finals in the space of just a month.
And, in their most recent meeting, which admittedly happened at Indian Wells in March, the Russian reigned supreme too.
Things were certainly in his favour, especially given that Alcaraz was only competing in his fourth ATP Tour-level event since returning from a five-month injury lay-off. He still should be far from his best.
And yet, he put in a near-faultless performance, thwarting Medvedev and ending his fine run.
Wins over Tommy Paul this week and at the US Open had previously been the Spaniard’s best since his return, but to have now beaten the former world number one in the semi-finals of an event he has never won before has to represent a high point for him.
Only Alex de Minaur now stands between him and glory.
