Queen’s final 2023 LIVE: Result and reaction as Carlos Alcaraz beats Alex de Minaur in straight sets
Carlos Alcaraz triumphed 6-4 6-4 to win his first grass-court title ahead of Wimbledon
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Your support makes all the difference.Carlos Alcaraz secured his first grass-court title and top billing at Wimbledon with victory over Alex De Minaur in the Queen’s final.
The 20-year-old Spaniard overtook Novak Djokovic as world number one, and confirmed he will be a major contender to take the Serbian’s crown at SW19 next month, with a commanding 6-4 6-4 win at Queen’s Club.
Alcaraz was playing only his third ever grass-court tournament, and his first outside of two underwhelming visits to Wimbledon.
In his first match he needed a third-set tie-break to get past French journeyman Arthur Rinderknech, but as the week wore on he grew in confidence on the surface and by Sunday looked to the manor born.
Alcaraz will now be top seed at Wimbledon and, on this evidence, has a genuine chance to emulate compatriot Rafael Nadal, who won at Queen’s in 2008 and went on to claim the big one three weeks later.
Relive the action from the Queen’s final, below:
Queen’s final: Alcaraz* 5-3 de Minaur (6-4)
Two quick points from Alcaraz, but then another missed chance as he sends a short volley into the net.
It’s back to the big serves though to wrap up the game and move to within one of the title.
Queen’s final: Alcaraz 4-3 de Minaur* (6-4)
Positive stuff from the Australian No1, world No18.
De Minaur produces some good serves and rally shots alike to race into a 40-0 lead and then powers a finisher into the corner for a game to love and keep himself in the set.
Really needs to pick it up and attack Alcaraz’s serve, now though.
Queen’s final: Alcaraz* 4-2 de Minaur (6-4)
Can de Minaur respond, or will Alcaraz move closer towards a two-set victory?
The Australian takes the first point but that is very much as good as it gets. The Spaniard crashes back with an ace and a nice hit down the line, before sending a rally shot unforced into the net for 40-30.
It makes no difference and affects him not at all, blazing a 106mph shot into the corner to extend his lead.
Queen’s final: Alcaraz 3-2 de Minaur* (6-4)
Brilliant net work again from de Minaur to take the first point, then a big smash for 30-30 too.
But in between and after, Alcaraz shows another range of shots from the baseline to earn a break point...and it’s a terrible time for de Minaur to bring up his first double fault.
That’s the break Alcaraz was seeking and perhaps that’s the turning point in this final, too.
Queen’s final: Alcaraz* 2-2 de Minaur (6-4)
Less of the spectacular, more of the solid. Alcaraz with some big hits which can’t be returned accurately enough and he goes 40-15 ahead, before another drop-shot again falls short.
Not been his day for those so far.
His next is called out and he challenges - it’s in fact in, so replayed, and he batters a forehand into the corner to take the game.
Queen’s final: Alcaraz 1-2 de Minaur* (6-4)
Looked concerning for de Minaur for a few moments as Alcaraz took a 15-30 lead, but then a brilliant volley on the stretch sees the Australian win a crucial point, before a big serve puts him ahead.
It goes to deuce, but de Minaur shows great variety in his shots to win one from deep and one from close in, smashing past Alcaraz for the game.
Queen’s final: Alcaraz* 1-1 de Minaur (6-4)
Ace, then a brilliant recovery and fake from de Minaur which has Alcaraz on the ground - but his sidespin at the net flies just beyond the line and out.
A first double fault of the match comes on the hour from Alcaraz for 30-15, but the Spaniard sees it out to level matters in the second set.
Queen’s final: Alcaraz 0-1 de Minaur* (6-4)
Bang, straight in with a bounceback win. That’s what de Minaur would have wanted, showing it’s still going to be a tough battle if Alcaraz wants victory and perhaps just testing that right leg, too.
Queen’s final: Alcaraz 0-0 de Minaur* (6-4)
A bit of treatment for Alcaraz and a medical timeout for the youngster from Murcia.
Lots of strapping going onto his right thigh ahead of this second set.
Queen’s final first set: Alcaraz* 6-4 de Minaur
Sensational play from both for 30-0.
Incredible speed across the the grass as de Minaur goes both sides and Alcaraz defends the net brilliantly, volleying back three times and winning the point with the last.
Two points for the first set for him now - the first won in impeccable fashion after five straight sliced backhands and then...an absolute powerdrive forehand into the corner. Unstoppable.
Alcaraz serves for the first set...but de Minaur doesn’t go down without a fight. He wins one, but can do nothing about the next ace. First ser to Alcaraz, 6-4!
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