On-fire Alcaraz makes it five finals on the trot

Carlos Alcaraz charged into his fifth consecutive Tour final on Saturday, dismantling Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4 at Queen’s club.

The all-Spanish semi-final pitted two generations of the Iberian game, with the 37-year-old Bautista Agut beginning his ATP career when Alcaraz, 22, was still in nappies.

Alcara extended the longest win streak of his career to 17 straight matches.

The world No. 2 winner will play for his second straight trophy in west London against Jiri Lehecka after the Czech disappointed London fans with his 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 defeat of ailing Jack Draper.

Lehecka is one of only five players to have beaten Alcaraz this season (Doha).

Britain’s ATP No. 4 said later he had been suffering all week with tonsillitis and had surprised himself by reaching the final four on the grass.

Alcaraz, winner of all five of his Grand Slam finals – including Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024 – has played recent finals in Roland Garros, Rome, Barcelona and Monte Carlo, losing only in Barca to Holger Rune.

He said that after less than a week on grass, he is finding his feet nicely on the surface.

“I’m trying to feel more and more comfortable every day on the grass. I feel I’m playing great tennis, I’m more confident after each match.”

He added: “Making the finals here again is so special once again. I can say that grass tennis mode is activated.”

Since losing to Rune last April, Alcaraz is 27-1 on court. London’s Spanish match-up was the second between Iberians this season after 

Alcaraz defeated Davidovich Fokina in the Monte-Carlo semi-finals in April.