There are many ways to win a tennis match. During this year’s US Open, USOpen.org will be playing a numbers game, digging deeper into the statistical analysis of select matches to provide highlights, further insights and data points on player performance.
Carlos Alcaraz lit up Arthur Ashe Stadium with a breath-taking performance to defeat No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 0-6, 7-6, and advance to Round 4 of the 2021 US Open.
At the beginning of the week, we highlighted Alcaraz’s forehand, and it was that shot which the New York crowd will remember for the way it started and finished the match.
SET 1: Alcaraz’s forehand (US Open averages in brackets)
- Forehand Consistency: 97% (88%)
- Speed: 82 mph (76 mph)
- Topspin: 3,413 rpm (2,661 rpm)
- Winners: 19% (11%)
- Unforced Errors: 3% (11%)
What was the impact? 33% of Alcaraz’s forehands forced Tsitsipas into defense.
SET 5: Alcaraz’s forehand (US Open averages in brackets)
- Forehand Consistency: 93% (88%)
- Speed: 81 mph (76 mph)
- Topspin: 3,011 rpm (2,661 rpm)
- Winners: 15% (11%)
- Unforced Errors: 7% (11%)
What was the impact? 42% of Alcaraz’s forehands forced Tsitsipas into defense, the highest at this year’s Open.
While the forehand winners rained down in the first and fifth sets, it was the use of the drop shot which proved crucial in both tie-breaks. In total, Alcaraz hit ten drop shots, winning the point every time.
