Alcaraz finds a way to win at Queen’s

Carlos Alcaraz double-faulted on a match point and then needed an extra hour to finally overcome battling Spanish compatriot Jaume Munar for a 6-4, 6-7 (), 7-5 win into the Queen’s club quarter-finals on Thursday.

The Iberian showdown lasted a shade under three and a half hours, with Alcaraz coming though dips in form to finally prevail after coming from 4-2 down in the deciding set.

The two-time Wimbledon winner held onto his Queen’s title defence with his 5th straight win as he played only his second match of the season on grass after titles on clay in Rome and Paris.

“I’m really really happy. I struggled physically and mentally – I don’t know how I’m standing here (a winner).”

The five-time Grand Slam champion swept the opening set thanks in part to three straight double-faults from Munar in the third game.

But a second set lasting for an hour and three quarters was only decided on the eighth set point, with the underdog Spaniard levelling at one set each.

Alcaraz looked like regaining control as he produced an early break of serve in the third set, only to lose it. He dropped serve again but recovered for 4-all and finally advanced to the last eight with a concluding break to end the ordeal.

The pair missed on a combined dozen break point chances in the epic set. 

“It was a really tough battle, he’s a great competitor,” Alcaraz said. “I’m proud of how I played – you saw how difficult it was to beat him.

“I’m happy to give myself another chance in the quarters. I kept fighting and didn’t give up. 

“I was out i mentally, but I stayed in there.”

Both Spaniards are equally at sea on grass, with Munar owning just four career wins on the lawns while Alcaraz has been beaten only three times in his brief career experience on the surface..