The right forearm is always protected by the leg warmers, but Carlos Alcaraz is fine. After crushing Shevchenko in 64 minutes, the former world number 1 took about ten minutes more to eliminate Seyboth Wild with a double 6-3 and advance to the round of 16 of a tournament in which in four editions he has lost only once , against Nadal in 2021.
impressive record
—
The reigning double champion reaches 15-1 on Madrid clay and on Tuesday he will face the 34-year-old German Struff, beaten here in the 2023 final. Then possibly the winner between Rublev and Griekspoor, who eliminated Rune today. Alcaraz’s progression is evident, the Murcian knows it and Manolo Santana also feels it, today in a cheerful mood and laughing with his Carlitos after the enormous tension experienced yesterday with Rafa Nadal. Sinner is warned.
irregular dance
—
Seyboth Wild promised battle, but it lasted 6 games. The Brazilian showed up with 3 aces, and then continued with a cheerful but dangerous style: great shots and various atrocities, from different areas of the court. Carlos, immutable, let his opponent dance and in the seventh game he raised the temperature: break and the first of 3 consecutive games which in 34 minutes brought him the first set which came with a significant double fault by Seyboth Wild.
The breakdown
—
With his genius in reserve and his recklessness at full rein, the Brazilian sank: 5-0 with two breaks and only one game fought and the match suddenly appeared without any more opposition for Carlos. Seyboth Wild somehow held serve, Alcaraz relaxed too much and offered another game to his opponent, who was then able to take the lead at 5-3. An illusion: another 6-3 and the match ended in 75 minutes.
full speed ahead!
—
“I felt very comfortable on the track – said Alcaraz at the end of the match – moving well. Then, seeing as I haven’t played much lately, I struggled a bit to control my nerves, I could manage some situations better. My forearm is fine, I didn’t feel any discomfort, I was able to hit well, hard, without problems, from now on full speed ahead.” Starting with the match with Struff: “May it end like a year ago in the final!” Carlitos says laughing. The host is improving day by day.
