The doubts, if there were any, after its debut at the Australian Open last Mondaywith that small disconnection that almost costs Carlos Alcaraz the second set against the Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko, were cleared in his second appearance, this time somewhat unexpected, at the Margaret Court Arena. The logical thing is that he would have played in Rod Laver, but the fact is that The Spaniard ‘flew’ at a high altitude on the second court of the tournament, to overwhelm Yoshihito Nishioka: 6-0, 6-1 and 6-4 in 1h21the second biggest beating he has inflicted on a rival, after the 6-1, 6-2 and 6-1 against Wolf at Roland Garros 2024.
On Friday, surely in the center, Alcaraz will face each other in the third round, which they reach for the fourth time in as many participations, to the Portuguese Nuno Borgesverdugo from the Australian Jordan Thompson (6-3, 6-2 and 6-4). What is clear is that the level of the rivals will increase from now on.
To every machine
“The less time you spend on the track, especially at the beginning, the better. I felt very good physically and tried to stay focused to finish as soon as possible”said the Murcian. “One of the reasons I want to win this tournament one day is to put my name on that short list.” (of winners of the four Grand Slams). I work to be prepared for that. I have to take it day by day and see how I feel. Now I’m just thinking about the next round and I hope I go further.”said the champion of Roland Garros, Wimbledon (twice) and the US Open.
The first set was the fastest of Carlos’ career in majors. In just 18 minutes he swallowed Nishioka whom he already beat three years ago at the Paris Masters 1,000 (“Do you have to go somewhere today?”a tournament interviewer asked him). The 29-year-old Japanese player, ranked 65th in the world, could only win four points in that set, three with his serve and one on the rest. And Alcaraz made a single unforced error (he closed the match with 16). The second set lasted a little longer, 25 minutes, but the winner of four Slams was equally superior. Only in the third did he lift his foot off the accelerator and Nishioka breathed. The new serve of the prodigy from El Palmar seems to be getting better (14 aces) and his forehand is a hammer. “I’m very happy about that. It’s something I worked on in the preseason and it cost me in the first round. In training I spent more time with that. It has worked better and I hope that in the next game it will go even better”he celebrated, before joking about his strength. “I hope my fitness trainer is happy with my biceps. “A lot of people tell me that, that it’s good, and I like it.”. Good perspectives for what is to come.
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