Updated:01/10/2020 01:53h
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Always looking for the next link that unites Rafael Nadal’s successes with those of the future, Spanish tennis sets its sights on Pedro Martínez Goalkeeper, 23-year-old Valencian who confirms at Roland Garros a progression that invites you to dream, with your feet on the ground. He is already in the third round of the Parisian tournament and with a determined step, as he dispatched Mikhail Kukushkin yesterday in less than two hours by 6-3, 6-1 and 6-0.
While for some, this year of the coronavirus is being a transition course, for Martínez Portero it is the opportunity that has been worked on since the “challenger” tournaments. Y is dispatching the “first time” at a good pace. At the Australian Open, first Grand Slam win in the final draw after passing the qualifying round; first quarters in the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro; final first frame of a Masters 1,000, in Rome, where Denis Shapovalov crossed him in the second round. Already last year he timidly stepped on the final table at Roland Garros, but he accused the wear of the previous phase and the nerves in his debut. In this edition, a tennis player more convinced that he can rub shoulders with the greats has appeared. He beat Australian Aleksandar Vukic, also from the previous one, 7-5, 6-4 and 6-0. And yesterday, out of the blue, to Kukushkin, with only seven unforced errors. After Paris, another first time, his name will be among the 100 best in the world.
«I have lived situations that make you get used to playing here, last year I paid the hazing, I lost the first game, I was more nervous than normal. This year I’m more used to playing in these places, “said Alzira, who was already pointing ways in lower categories. At the age of 16 he was champion of Spain cadet, his category, and also junior, one step higher. Although the referents, of course, are Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, who he wanted to look like is David Ferrer, of whom he has said that he is “the best of human beings.” In his school he tanned his tennis, under the orders of the idol’s brother, Javi Ferrer. Last year he changed Jávea for Valencia to join Daniel Gimeno Traver and Sergio Gallego as guides. Between them they have boosted the confidence of Martínez Portero who can still look higher. Tomorrow he will face Sebastian Korda – he doubled John Isner 6-4, 6-4, 2-6 and 6-4-, son of Petr Korda and the first tennis player born in the 21st century to overcome two rounds in Paris.
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