Chile's Nicolas Jarry backhands Spain's Carlos Alcaraz at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club on February 17, 2024. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shocking straight-set loss to Chile's Nicolas Jarry in the semifinals of the ATP Buenos Aires tournament on Saturday.
Defending champion Alcaraz, playing in his first tournament since losing in the Australian Open quarterfinals, lost 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 to his 28-year-old opponent.
Alcaraz, a two-time Grand Slam champion, was hoping to reach his first final since losing to Novak Djokovic at the Cincinnati Masters in August and win his first title since Wimbledon in July.
Jarry, ranked 21st in the world, won for the first time in three matches against Alcaraz, winning on his second match point after nearly two hours on court.
“Third time lucky,” Jarry said of his first win against Alcaraz. “Carlos is one of the best fighters, so it means a lot, especially after the fight a few days ago. He was very tough physically, so I'm very happy to be back.”
“I got off to a bad start and couldn't win points with my serve, but I'm slowly coming back.”
The Chilean faced no break points in the first set and, after exchanging breaks in the first two games of the second set, Jarry grabbed the decisive break in the eighth game.
Jarry will face Argentine wild card No. 87 Facundo Díaz Acosta in Sunday's clay court tournament final.
Alcaraz has been in a tough spot lately, without winning a title since shocking Novak Djokovic in last year's Wimbledon final.
