Carlos Alcaraz had his followers fearful after dropping to Botic van de Zandschulp within the second spherical of the 2024 US Open. The previous world #1 had one of many worst performances of his younger profession, dropping three units to zero and making big psychological steps again. The younger Spanish champion took longer than anticipated to digest his defeat towards Serbian legend Novak Djokovic within the remaining of the Olympic match, when he appeared near profitable the gold medal for his nation.
The four-time Grand Slam champion – who received the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships this yr – has regained his finest feeling due to victories within the Davis Cup in Valencia and within the Laver Cup in Berlin. The Spanish ace is taking part in very nicely in Beijing, the place he reached the semi-finals with out dropping a set. Carlitos defeated the younger Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard in his debut, Tallon Griekspoor within the spherical of 16 and Karen Khachanov within the quarterfinals.
His subsequent opponent tomorrow will likely be one other Russian, former World No.1 Daniil Medvedev. The 21-year-old from Murcia has already overwhelmed Medvedev twice this yr – at Indian Wells and the Wimbledon Championships – proving he has the correct weapons to place the champion in hassle from Moscow.
The Spaniard is again to the highest
Alcaraz is motivated and hungry, wanting to shut 2024 with an awesome end result. His foremost targets are the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Alcaraz appears to have returned to his degree, which all followers count on after the shocking defeat within the second spherical of the US Open. The Spaniard has actually gathered 7 consecutive victories between the Davis Cup, Laver Cup and the ATP 500 of Beijing, through which he reached the semifinals.
The Spanish tennis participant received an awesome victory in China on Monday towards Russian ace Karen Khachanov: in essential moments, the younger man from El Palmar has managed to take the inertia out of his arms and win two units. The check of 9 will in all probability come within the subsequent spherical: the 21-year-old should problem the opposite Russian Daniil Medvedev, one of the fearsome gamers on laborious court docket, to earn a spot within the remaining.
The victory allowed Carlitos to climb once more to second place within the ATP world rating: Alcaraz has nearly surpassed (within the subsequent few days formally with the replace of the classification) Alexander Zverev by simply 5 factors. An change of positions that additionally occurred within the race, the place we principally play a second helpful place within the draw for the teams on the Turin Finals (the second is already sure to keep away from Jannik Sinner within the spherical robin).
The 2003 class, already on Sunday within the match dominated by Tallon Griekspoor, has conquered the coveted 200 claims. Alcaraz turned the second participant to realize this report: forward of all of the American legend John McEnroe, instantly after Carlitos who managed it earlier than his nice compatriot Rafael Nadal. Mats Wilander, Jimmy Connors and Boris Becker. Solely 50 victories separate Alcaraz from Jannik Sinner, who has just a few extra years of militancy within the main circuit.
Carlitos is on fireplace
Throughout the press convention, the brand new World No.2 commented on his efficiency: “I all the time attempt to put some stress on my opponents when they’re serving, in a manner that makes them see that I’m there, prepared for the battle. In the event that they wish to win their service sport, in the event that they wish to beat me, they should settle for the problem and play at a really excessive degree of tennis.
That is what I attempt to present them on a regular basis. On this case, towards Khachanov, I attempted to stress him on each level, each return, to see if he would get nervous, miss some first serves, and with the second serve, be ready to assault constantly. I had some break alternatives at 4-all. I did not capitalize on them, however that sport helped me for the subsequent ones. I may have gotten that break as a result of I used to be constantly making my returns, taking part in good factors, after which capitalizing on the possibilities he gave me. Blissful to have lastly damaged his serve.”
In accordance with some insiders, Carlitos ought to change his schedule sooner or later to keep away from accidents. The Spanish ace suffered a forearm damage that severely restricted him in spring, forcing him to overlook the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo and Rome. The previous world #1 additionally missed out on the Montreal Masters 1000 after the Olympic match and was eradicated at his debut in Cincinnati, outcomes that designate the large hole that separates him from Sinner within the ATP rating.
