VALENCIA. Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed the first point for the Spanish Davis Cup team, in Group B of the initial phase of this competition, which is being held until Sunday in Valencia. He did so by defeating Tomas Machac (7-6/6-1/0-1), after the latter retired at the end of the first game of the third set, which was added to the previous one obtained by Roberto Bautista, thus, overcoming the Czech Republic in the tie.
An unprecedented duel between the two players, which started with a double break of serve, one by each contender. From then on, both the Spaniard and the Czech held their respective serves, and in this way, just as it happened in the first match between the Castellón native and Jiri Lehecka, the initial set was played in a tie-break. But unlike what happened in the first match, the coin fell on the other side this time, something that Machac achieved with accurate shots from the back of the court.
But Alcaraz, who is having a brilliant 2024, managed to react and after three games played, the tennis player from Murcia broke his rival’s serve. The player from El Palmar, who would widen the gap, before the Czech had to be treated for muscle problems in the calf of his left leg. An ailment that made it easier for Alcaraz to take the second set and thus tie the match.
The Central European player would go to the locker room to try to recover, but after losing the first game of the third set, he decided to retire and therefore give the victory to the team led by David Ferrer.
The next match will be the doubles match between Jakub Mensik / Adam Pavlasek and Carlos Alcaraz / Marcel Granollers. This match could be important for the final qualification to the final round in Malaga.
