Alcaraz strengthens and advances to the round of 16 at the Olympic Games | ATP Tour

Paris Olympics

Alcaraz strengthens and advances to the round of 16 at the Olympic Games

July 29, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz always gets stronger. When he speeds up his game and seems to have an extra gear, or two, or three, and also, when things get complicated and he has to solve them, that’s when the Spaniard always finds solutions. Thus, despite some discomfort, he once again made clear his unparalleled aspirations in Paris and, at 21 years old, he is determined to continue making great history in the world of tennis.

Now, the Spaniard defeated Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets and advanced to the round of 16 after winning 6-1 and 7-6 (3) in one hour and 50 minutes.

After a first set that was a concert for Alcaraz, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, who acts as second favorite in Paris after the withdrawal of Jannik Sinner, had to unravel a second set that was much more even than expected, due to his own mistakes, successes by his rival who had a set point and, also, some physical doubts that made him ask for medical attention for discomfort in his right thigh.

For Alcaraz, it was his 41st match of a season in which he has already won 35 times, and the last nine consecutive times, after defending his title at Wimbledon and his two matches this week, in addition to another nine consecutive victories on clay with the Roland Garros title.

The Murcian will now face Roman Safiullin, who defeated Argentine Tomás Martín Etcheverry in straight sets and is a tough opponent when he is inspired, for a place in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games.

“It’s normal that I have pain. I’ve felt it before, I’ve had this problem before… in the adductor,” said Alcaraz. “I know how to deal with this pain. I think it’s not going to be serious, so I’ll be ready for tomorrow’s doubles,” said Alcaraz, who remains the only Spanish representative in the men’s tournament in Paris 2024 after Rafael Nadal’s elimination against Serbian Novak Djokovic and the hasty departure of Jaume Munar and Pedro Martínez on Sunday, in the first round.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Alcaraz will partner Nadal again in the second round of doubles. “I’m not used to playing doubles. I’m used to focusing only on singles, but it’s a very special moment for me to play doubles as well,” Alcaraz said. “I love playing doubles. So the preparations can be a little bit complicated with singles, with training, doubles. But I’m trying to play as well as possible on both sides.”