Andrea Innocenti The ATP 500 tournament in Vienna has come to its conclusion, providing one of the most anticipated matches of the season. The young Murcian Carlos Alcaraz , currently ranked number three in the world , once again demonstrated his ability to handle pressure, defeating Russian Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals and earning the right to face Alex De Minaur in the final.
Alcaraz defeats Medvedev and reaches Vienna final
In the semi-final match, Alcaraz set the pace from his first serve, closing the first set 6-4 thanks to a crucial break in the tenth game. The second set was more closely contested: the two exchanged powerful shots, but at 6-6 a tie-break ensued where the Murcian then scored five consecutive points, securing the 7-6 (2).
The performance was defined as dominant, especially on Alcaraz's forehand, which put Medvedev's second serve in difficulty, often forced to defend from unfavorable positions.
Analysis of key moments
The turning point came in the second set tie-break, where the Russian failed to win a single point on his own serve, a rare occurrence at this level.
Alcaraz capitalized on his superior physicality and ability to vary pace, alternating flat shots with heavy topspin, forcing Medvedev into unforced errors. Furthermore, his precise placement of his serves limited his opponent's returns, ensuring the Murcian remained in control of the entire match.
De Minaur eliminates Zverev and writes his comeback
On the other side of the draw, Alex De Minaur endured a semifinal match lasting more than two and a half hours against Alexander Zverev, the future world number one. After winning the first set 6-4, the German rallied in the next with a 6-1 lead, but the Australian kept his composure, taking the match to a final tie-break. With a series of incisive shots and a brilliant service performance, De Minaur won the tie-break 7-4, securing his fourth final of the year and preventing Zverev from celebrating a new world record on the court.
The streak of 25 consecutive victories in the ATP 500
With his victory over Medvedev, Alcaraz extended his undefeated streak to 25 matches in ATP 500-level tournaments, a record he set in the Barcelona 2025 final against Holger Rune. Since then, the Spaniard has dominated events in Doha, Tokyo, and now Vienna, winning three titles so far in the same season. This consistency makes him the undisputed protagonist of mid-level tournaments , fueling expectations for a possible fourth trophy in 2026.
Consequences on the world rankings
Alcaraz's run in Vienna strengthens his position at the top of the ATP rankings , keeping him within a few points of the top spot, currently held by Alexander Zverev. The victory will secure the Murcian a significant boost in points, crucial to consolidating his challenge for the number one title. Meanwhile, De Minaur, by reaching the final, will earn crucial points that will move him higher in the race for the ATP Finals , increasing his chances of finishing the season among the top eight players.