Alcaraz Dominant In European Clay Debut At Madrid Masters; Nadal v De Minaur, Swiatek, Gauff
Carlos Alcaraz rolled through his European clay debut crushing Alexander Shevchenko 6-2, 6-1 in his Madrid Masters Opener.
“I think I did pretty well honestly. The last month I just practiced slices, volleys and backhands, so I think it worked pretty well today,” Alcaraz said to the ATP. “That was something I was thinking about approaching this match, trying to hit the forehand softer let’s say and trying to be aggressive with the backhand, trying to crash the net as soon as possible. I think I did a really good match in that part.”
Alcaraz showed no arm issues as he won his 13th straight match in Madrid as he tries to become the first player to win a 3-peat at the event.
“Not at all, but I’m thinking about it. It’s not going to leave my mind I think,” Alcaraz said of the arm. “Coming into this week, I’ve been doing good things in practice, hitting harder, but I’m not feeling comfortable playing my forehand 100%. But I think playing at this level, I’m really happy to do it. I think I can be competitive.”
Elsewhere, former winner Alexander Zverev plus Holger Rune, Andrey Rublev and Taylor Fritz were winners.
In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka also opener her title defense with a win defeating Magda Linette in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
“It’s not about being confident,” Sabalenka said. “It’s about how much you’re ready to do to get it. It’s about the hard work and to be ready, be ready for the big fights. I feel like confidence is not going to help you in those big matches. It’s about staying there and fighting for it.
“I will say, I will be there, I will be fighting for every point and if I have an opportunity, I will take it. That’s my mentality going into the clay season this year.”
Stuttgart titlist Elena Rybakina advanced over Lucia Bronzetti 6-4, 6-3 and Danielle Collins closed the night with a thriller over Olga Danilovic in a final set breaker. The Serb served for the match at 5-4 in the third but the American prevailed winning her 13th straight match.
Tomorrow, Rafael Nadal returns to take on Alex de Minaur in a rematch of the Australian’s win last week.
Jannik Sinner also opens play along with Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev, and the start of the women’s third round with Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari who takes on Sloane Stephens.
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