Carlos Alcaraz, like 99 percent of the tennis world, thought that today Monday (around 8:00 p.m.) the US Open champion and still No. 1 would have one of his favorite players to train in front of, given his excellent intensity at work . But the British lefty Cameron Norrie, No. 16, was surprised by the Italian Matthew Arnaldi, 22 years old and world number 61, who overwhelmed 6-3, 6-4 and 6-3.
A rookie in New York, with only three Grand Slam matches before this date, he slipped into the top sixteen in the draw. The withdrawal in the first round of the Australian exploited well Jason Kubler and his marathon victory over the French Arthur Son. Hits without the luster of undeterred outrunning the tough Norrie.
An unexpected cross for Alcaraz, 20 years old, before the participation box really hardens. If he meets the forecast against Arnaldi, the Italian awaits him in the quarterfinals Jannik Sinner or the german Alexander Zverev. In the semifinals he targets a Russian opponent, Daniil Medvedev o Andrey Rublevbut without forgetting the Australian Alex de Minaur.
There is no record of this new duel between Alcaraz and Arnaldi. Logical because he started the campaign 134 in the ranking, he had to look for a life in Challenger ATP tournaments, the Second Division, or in the previous phases of the ATP.
He quickly added ATP points. He won the Challengers of Tenerife 2 and Murcia, surpassed the previous phase of the Conde de Godó Trophy, where he opened his account of triumphs in ATP, at the cost of Jaume Munar, who would later take his revenge in the second round. Before, Arnaldi knocked down the Norwegian Casper Ruud, a prestigious win.
Steady climb. Irrelevant premiere at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, a title at the Heilbronn Challenger and semifinals at Umag. Advancing especially on clay. He passed the ‘qualy’ of Toronto, Daniil Medvedev He stopped him, 6-2 and 7-5.
Like a little ant, making a hole in the main circuit. “It was crazy at the beginning of the year to think that I would be here. I have no words, Arnaldi acknowledged, supported by his main coach, Alessandro Petrone, a former player who did not improve to ATP position 397. As well as his girlfriend, the Australian Mia.
Near him, a countryman and manager, Fabio Fognini. They are both from Sanremo. At 36, the oldest is already planning his future, and he has created the Back to Next representation company. Among his signings, Arnaldi, who at the age of 12 parked swimming, skiing, soccer or judo. He maintains his sports profile with his hobbies. He loves the motor, especially Formula One and MotoGP. He also has eyes for the NBA. He breaks the norm in his country with soccer: he declares himself an interista, but admits that he doesn’t follow it much.
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He has the advice of Fognini, but “I like Djokovic, for his ability to counterattack, but if I have to choose something, it would be the vision of the game of Roger Federer”, he points out to the Italian media.
He will have an opponent in front of him that mixes characteristics of both, with touches of Nadal. “Since I saw the draw, my goal was to play against alcaraz. I wanted to think match by match so that now I could already enjoy this moment”, said Arnaldi. “I don’t want to say that our tennis is similar, but he is physical and I am also quite a bit, I like to play a lot, that the game lasts.”
It will debut in a big stadium. “It will be exciting at first. I hope it will be a good, intense game”. Do not doubt that it will be fast-paced. The one who imposes alcarazalready a quarterfinalist in his first Open, at the age of 19.
2023-09-04 05:06:02
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