The massive disappointment of Rafael Nadal towards Novak Djokovic, in type and substance, was responded to by Carlos Alcaraz with a convincing, hasty and authoritative victory towards the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (6-1 and 7-6(3)) to revive tennis and the Spanish fan base from the void suffered after the departure of the legendary Balearic participant.
There’ll all the time be Alcaraz, who is able to extend the state of happiness that Nadal has offered throughout all this time. That’s what the Murcian is doing, at 21 years previous with 4 Grand Slams beneath his belt, with the looks, if he retains up, of pulverizing any problem and beating any file.
The Olympian can be considered one of them. In his first Video games, the Murcian represents a breath of recent air, novelty and dominance. He has arrived in Paris with the Roland Garros title beneath his arm, received weeks in the past, just like the prince able to occupy the historic throne of the good Nadal.
The Murcian, the Spanish asset in Paris, emerged victorious from a duel that grew to become slowed down within the second set, when he confirmed indicators of bodily fatigue and requested for help from the court docket physiotherapist who handled him. The set, the second, was up within the air. However he got here again with dedication, saved the set, stopped the expansion of the Dutchman – who had a set level – and closed out the match in a single hour and 46 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz is just not beating across the bush and is aiming for the rostrum. Not solely due to his obvious good efficiency within the draw, but additionally due to the extent he gives in every match. Fast actions, correct pictures, confidence and an increasing number of continuity. Solely the muscular doubts that appeared later can decelerate his progress.
The Murcian, who if he wins gold would be the youngest Olympic champion in tennis, within the singles draw, makes no concessions. He additionally doesn’t undergo put on and tear as was seen towards Griekspoor who occupies a spot within the rankings to be taken under consideration. The Dutchman is twenty eighth on the planet. Additionally an Olympic debutant, he confronted the head-to-head with out ever having been in a position to beat a high 5 participant in his profession.
He has one win in 4 matches towards Alcaraz. However it was in 2021 in Montpellier, within the first assembly between the 2, when the Murcian, aged 18, took his first steps on the skilled circuit. Shortly afterwards, the Spaniard returned the rating, profitable in Estoril, on clay and later, at Wimbledon, on grass and in Indian Wells final yr on laborious court docket, Alcaraz prolonged his dominance within the head-to-head.
Carlos Alcaraz’s ninth consecutive victory lasted an hour and three quarters. Inside half an hour he had already closed the primary set after a hellish begin, with a 3-0 that was a declaration of intent. He completed the set 6-1.
Griekspoor improved later within the second. And the participant from Harlem, who loved his greatest yr in 2023 with three finals of his profession, saved his pulse clinging to his serve. Two titles, in Hertogenbosch and Pune, and one defeat, in Washington.
The Dutchman didn’t give in and took benefit of Alcaraz’s drop in type. It appeared prefer it was a kind of gaps that the Murcian suffers when his pace is at its cruising pace. However there was one thing else. He misplaced his freshness and referred to as the physio. The alarm bells went off. At 5-4 the physician got here in they usually went collectively to the locker room.
The Dutchman had an opportunity to win the set, however Alcaraz emerged once more. He prevented the expansion of Griekspoor, who he’ll face once more on Tuesday in doubles, and within the tie-break he sealed the match and his place within the spherical of 16, the place he’ll face the Russian Roman Safiullin, the executioner of the Argentine Martín Etcheverry.
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