Masters 1000 Madrid – Carlos Alcaraz overthrows Emil Ruusuvuori in three sets for his entry into the running and will play Dimitrov

Carlos Alcaraz got a real scare. For his entry into the running at the Masters 1000 in Madrid, the defending champion had to fight for 2h16 and three sets to get rid of the threatening Emil Ruusuvuori (2-6, 6-4, 6-2). Manhandled for a set and a half, the world number two kept his cool, notably saving five break points in the sixth game of the second set. Gradually sovereign in the exchange, the Murcian took the upper hand thanks to an ever-overflowing energy. Already winner of the Barcelona tournament, Alcaraz continues its rise on the Spanish ocher and will face Grigor Dimitrov in the next round.

This second round match was supposed to allow Carlos Alcaraz to quietly enter his Madrid tournament, it finally had the effect of a real warning. Already crowned last week on clay in Barcelona, ​​Carlitos landed with the label of big favorite to his own estate in the Spanish capital. But against him, Emil Ruusuvuori had nothing to lose and it was felt very quickly in the game. Faller of Ugo Humbert in the first round, the Finn made his power speak with a very effective first ball with more than 70% success and 87% of points won on first serve.

Alcaraz bloodshed changed everything

On the restart, the tennis player ranked 41st at ATP also proved to be very dangerous with a particularly embarrassing flat game for Alcaraz, used to dominating the exchanges but regularly caught up in speed in this case. Race results: Ruusuvuori remained solid on his service game and broke his opponent twice to win the first set in 36 minutes (6-2). Unable to set his pace and forced to ensure his face-offs while waiting for the opponent to slow down, Alcaraz showed signs of frustration like this racquet throw at 3-2 against him.

But the turning point of the game came in the next game. Facing a wall, the number one seed had to save five break points to pick up at 3-3. Undoubtedly disturbed by these missed opportunities, Ruusuvuori began to commit a few unforced errors and his opponent rushed into the breach to break, scream all his determination and transform the Manolo Santana court into a cauldron.

Caught up in Madrid’s fervor, Ruusuvuori let his opponent return to one set everywhere after 1:35 (6-4). Winner of his only confrontation with Alcaraz in Miami in 2021, the Finn became aware of the evolution of his opponent, much more toned and powerful as the meeting progressed. With another break at the start of the third set and then a third to lead 4-1, Alcaraz was able to raise his arms to heaven with some relief. As in Barcelona, ​​the machine is launched…