Carlos Alcaraz Shines in Mutua Madrid Open Return: Faces Tough Test Next

68 minutes Friday. 75 minutes this Sunday. Carlos Alcaraz is doing well, thanks for him. Forced to stop by his injured right forearm, the young Spaniard continues to reassure his fans for his first outings since his return. Already impressive for his entry into the running on Friday against Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 6-2, the world number 3, forced to give up in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, ​​did it again this Sunday to dispatch Thiago Seyboth Wild, 6-3, 6-3, and find Jan-Lennard Struff, his opponent in the 2023 final in Madrid.

Double defending champion in the Spanish capital, Carlos Alcaraz certainly had to work a little harder at both ends of this match. But he impressed in the heart of the meeting. After a contested start to the match, the Spaniard actually raised his voice while the score was three all in the first set. Solid on serve (68% of first serves), “Carlitos” accelerated with his devastating forehand and the Brazilian then no longer saw the light of day.

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his victory in the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open 2024.

Credit: Getty Images

Struff, a real test

Overwhelmed and overwhelmed by the opposing talent, Thiago Seyboth Wild multiplied the unforced errors (23) while trying to take stock as quickly as possible. And Carlos Alcaraz flew away. He won nine games in a row to pocket the first set before rolling out in the second to lead 5 to 0. His opponent then had a small burst of pride to unbreak and pocket three games. But despite this slight pause when it came time to conclude, Carlos Alcaraz delivered a new demonstration.

For 25 minutes, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s protégé even entertained the Madrid Caja Magica. Showing that he didn’t seem too bothered by his right arm at the moment. So it bodes well. The double Grand Slam winner (US Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2023) and former world No. 1 should, however, see more clearly his real level during the next round. Because to reach the quarter-finals, he will come up against Jan-Lennard Struff.

The German, who took out Ugo Humbert in two sets this Sunday and has not yet lost a set in this tournament, challenged him in the final in Madrid last season and took the first set from him. Above all, he is one of the players in good form at the moment, having recently won the title in Munich on clay. Alcaraz, who hopes to become the first player to win the Masters 1000 in Madrid three times in a row, will therefore face a real test. But given his level at the heart of this third round, he has reason to be reassured.

2024-04-28 16:12:00
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