Carlos Alcaraz yesterday gained access to the with great ease round of 16 of the Masters1000 in Madrid. A clear victory against the Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild with the score of 6-3 6-3. The Spaniard demonstrated that he is wonderful on the Spanish red clay, even putting aside the physical problems that have characterized the last period.
Carlitos took the field again with a “sleeve” on his right armgiven the well-known forearm problem he has forced to miss the tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. However, the worst seems to be over and the tightrope walker from Murcia seems to have what it takes to try confirming himself as champion for the third time in a row in the prestigious event at the Caja Magica.
Alcaraz spoke about it at the press conference: “Juanki (coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, ed.) always tells me that there is no need to shoot the forehand at 200%, but 100% is enough. I’m listening to him and it’s bearing fruit for him. I feel more relaxed. Physically I’m fine, but mentally I’m not completely fine yet: when I hit a strong forehand I always think about my arm and I think it will be like this for some time to come“, admitted the Spaniard.
The reference to Jannik Sinner is inevitablewho debuted with a very clear victory against Lorenzo Sonego (6-0 6-3): “Jannik is not used to playing here in Madrid, he didn’t come last year and in 2022 he didn’t play very well, so I don’t know how his game will react to the altitude. Having said that, his first match here was impressive and the way he has been playing lately for me he remains the favorite wherever he goes. I, personally, am committed to showing my best tennis to try to ensure that I don’t win any more titles, but if this continues it will be hard for me and for everyone. I repeat, Sinner is the favorite in any tournament he decides to play“.
The South Tyrolean will be on stage today, not before 8pm, against the Russian Pavel Kotov and we will see if what Alcaraz declared will be reflected on the pitch. The Iberian, for his part, will have to deal in the round of 16 against the same opponent who had challenged him in last year’s final in this tournament, the German Jan-Lennard Struff: “He’s an uncomfortable opponent, but after the match with Thiago (Seyboth Wild, ed.), I gained a lot of confidence. I know that if I play like this, I have the opportunity to win“.
