Awesome Carlos Alcaraz. A machine that did not suffer any of its famous disconnections. This time it started at full speed and ended the same, without interruptions. A recital on the floor of the Margaret Court Arena, the second stadium in Melbourne Park. He has not yet stepped foot in the center in this edition, a new opportunity was given for the organization to end up taking him to the main stage.
The Spaniard, 21 years old and world No. 3, devastated the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka29 years old and number 65, by 6-0, 6-1 and 6-3 in 1h.21′. On Friday he will have an appointment, in the round of 32, with the Portuguese Nuno Borgeswho eliminated the Australian Jordan Thompson with surprising ease: 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4 in 1h.47′. The Portuguese, 27 years old and number 323, recent semifinalist in Auckland, lost to the Murcian in the 2023 Godó by 6-3 and 6-1.
A historic beating by Alcaraz, the most forceful of his Grand Slam career. He only delivered five games, one more than against the American JJ Wolf on the clay court at Roland Garros 2024 (6-1, 6-2 and 6-1), although that match lasted 1h.51′, 30 minutes longer than it took on the hard court of the Australian event.
Alcaraz had no mercy. He finished the first set in 18 minutes, winning 24 of 28 points, 12 of 13 with his serve. I had never resolved a Grand Slam round so quickly. The total partial was 9-0. At 36 minutes there was rejoicing on the court, the applause and smiles multiplied to celebrate the first game of the Japanese, who blew at the Spaniard’s ball that was already going out without help. A gesture that showed Nishioka’s desire not to add another ‘donut’.
The Asian, with fast legs but without definitive weapons that could hurt the Spaniard, struggled to make up the score in the third set. He prolonged the outcome with more honor than tennis. Helped by an Alcaraz who had enough to maintain the positive trend, without needing to put in more gear that would have immediately knocked down the opponent.
This comfortable match served Alcaraz well. He hit 14 aces. A number that confirms his progression with the new serve as he perfects it in training and rounds it off in matches. With no real opposition, he was able to try it out without ties in this tie.
The ball is thrown higher, it hits it more directly, with a non-stop movement, executed in one throw. It is part of improving his tennis to be even more competitive on fast courts. Have more against your rivals for the big titles.
Their averages are increasing: the speed of the first serve, at 188 km/h, and that of the second, at 161 km/h. The fastest of all, at 210. He wants to get closer to the numbers of a ‘gunner’ and, above all, according to his coach, Juan Carlos Ferreromore consistency.
Alcaraz joked about the issue by signing on the television camera: “Am I a serve bot?” “Am I a bot (robot) to take?” Time will tell how far he can go with this decisive blow in today’s tennis.
In Shevchenko in Nishioka They evaluated the real options of Alcaraz, who expects greater emotions later, especially if the path is confirmed Novak Djokovic (quarterfinals), Alexander Zverev (semifinals) and Jannik Sinner (final) to try to be a champion, the youngest tennis player who has the four Grand Slams in his record. At 21 years old, the record is held by the American Don Budge, who completed the full season at 22 in the 1938 season.
“I work every day to write my name on such a short list. It’s one of the reasons why I want to win this tournament. I wish it were this year, let’s see how I feel. For now I’m just thinking about the next round,” he said. the champion of US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2023 y Roland Garros y Wimbledon 2024.
It’s not that he was in a hurry, but the sooner he finishes his work in competition, the better. “The less, the better. Especially physically. I try to be focused and invest as little time as possible,” he said. Play in the short, medium and long term, like all contenders for the crown.
