Alcaraz lands strongly in Madrid | ATP Tour

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Alcaraz lands strongly in Madrid

The two-time champion will face Seyboth Wild in the third round

April 26, 2024

By ATPTour.com/es Staff

The champions write unprecedented stories and Carlos Alcaraz has a pen in his hands. This Friday, the Spaniard opened his participation in the Caja Mágica, where he aspires to become the first player capable of winning three consecutive editions of the Mutua Madrid Open. At just 20 years old, the Murcian bears an immense responsibility on his shoulders: to be the man to beat in one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit.

The world No. 3 cracked his first match at the Manolo Santana Stadium, beating Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko 6-2, 6-1 with infectious energy. In a match full of momentum, with the main court attentive to one of its main favorites, Alcaraz won a fight that was a re-entry into the circuit. Although he missed a break in both sleeves, the Spaniard’s push was enough to achieve the first objective.

“It has been a hard month for me, of uncertainty without knowing when I will return. I also came to this tournament with many doubts. I came here to do my first training session and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play. Today the priority was to see how I felt in a demanding Masters 1000 match. The sensations have been good and I think I played at a good level despite coming without rhythm. “I am happy and it is a pleasure for me to play in Madrid again.”

Alcaraz’s presence in Madrid is observed with special attention. An injury to the pronator in his right arm stopped the Spaniard’s clay career in its tracks, forcing him to give up in Monte Carlo and Barcelona before hitting the surface in the Spanish capital. After 26 days away from the competition, the current champion appeared at the Caja Mágica with a white mesh from shoulder to wrist, landing some blows that no one has managed to stop in the last two years on this stage.

The Murcian had to contain the harshness of his forehand, tempering a blow with which he prioritized changes of rhythm over pure force. Outside of his usual repertoire, Alcaraz knew how to adapt to the circumstances to guarantee his survival in the premiere and secure a new opportunity on the Madrid clay.

“It’s something I had to do today. The right one comes without being able to tighten it 100% as I would like. Juanki always told me to play loose, forward. That’s what I’m doing with the right. I had been training only with my backhand for a month, so I think I played a spectacular game with my backhand and also with the drop shots. Everything I have been training to date I have done spectacularly. With my right, with changes of pace, I completed a good game.”

In the defense of the Alcaraz trophy you will find an interesting barrier. The Spaniard will play the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open against the Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild, a player who touched the second week of Roland Garros last year and whom he has never faced on the circuit. Far from being a stranger to the current champion, Carlos is well aware of the challenge that he will find on the other side of the tape.

“I have seen it many times,” warned the Spaniard. “He is a very aggressive player, very dangerous. He has a very high level and has been beating good people. Let’s get our act together. I want to continue passing rounds in Madrid, continue enjoying the crowd, playing on this court. “I’m going to give 100%.”

Did you know…?
Carlos Alcaraz has accumulated 12 consecutive victories on the clay of the Mutua Madrid Open. The Murcian, who will turn 21 on the day of the final, has not known defeat in the Caja Mágica since he faced five-time champion Rafael Nadal in the 2021 season.