Davis Cup Finals setting boosts Carlos Alcaraz with the feeling that he's "not playing alone"

Is Carlos Alcaraz regaining his mojo to make a fourth quarter push?

Buoyed by his teammates and a home crowd, the world No. 3 produced an encouraging performance in Valencia Friday in helping Spain punch a ticket to the Final 8 of the Davis Cup Finals.

After countryman Roberto Bautista Agut impressed in his own way against Arthur Fils, Alcaraz had no problem dispatching Ugo Humbert.  The 21-year-old saved all six break points he faced and smacked 12 forehand winners to secure a 6-3, 6-3 victory over the French No. 1.

Reflecting on the victory, it was all positive takeaways from Alcaraz’s side.

“The level that I played since the beginning until the last ball, I was really focused. I was in a really high level of tennis. I was really intense,” he said before declaring, “Probably one of the best matches that I played this year. My last month, I need these kind of matches. I’m really happy with my performance today.”

The four-time major winner also credited the environment of being around others to boosting his game, following a U.S. swing that saw him lose his Cincinnati opener to Gael Monfils and eliminated in the second round of the US Open by 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp.

“I need being with the team, all the players, all the staff from the federation. Seeing them cheering me always in every point, every match… I need this atmosphere, these kind of matches that I feel like I’m not playing alone. I’m really happy that my energy is getting higher.”

Alcaraz is due to remain in a team setting next week when he makes his Laver Cup debut in Berlin, before launching his Asian swing bid.

Earlier, Bautista Agut rallied to defeat Fils, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3. With his and Alcaraz’s victories, Spain advanced out of Group B alongside Australia.

The knockout stage is set to run November 19-24 in Malaga. A Jannik Sinner-led Italian squad won the title last year over the Aussies.