Alcaraz made his debut with a loss in a three-hour trial with Korda

Carlos Alcaraz, the third youngest champion in Masters 1000 ATP history after winning in Miami, he again faced defeat in his debut in another Masters 1000, Monte Carlo. On a complicated day, due to the lack of spark from previous games, the strong and gusty wind, the almost relentless transition from hard court to clay court and a rival of high quality, Sebastian Korda, the student of John Charles Ferrero he said goodbye to the entrance.

At 18, another apprenticeship. He gave up without being tried repeatedly during the three-hour trial because he didn’t feel comfortable in the middle of Monegasque. Fell 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5) and 6-3 against whom he became a victim, months ago, in the finals of the Next Gen ATP Finals and has now closed out the round of 16 at the Principality.

Alcaraz, eleventh in the world ranking, will continue to be close to the top-10, which he will try to access with good results in Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Conde de Godó Trophy, next Sunday. It will come without as much trouble as Monte Carlo did, with almost no time to taste and imagine Miami’s success.

Carlitos ’balance is 18 wins and three losses. Korda, 21 years old and a deceptive ranking (42nd) because he has a lot of tennis, by hitting and reading the game, stopped the Murcian, like the Italian before. Matteo Berrettiniin the third round of the Australian Open, and Rafael Nadalin the semifinals of Indian Wells.

This is not a day of inspiration for El Palmar players. He got the first set lifting four balls from 2-5 Korda, but it was not combined with effort. He served twice to finish, with 5-4 and 6-5, and he didn’t, giving up on the ‘tiebreak’. The rival gave him a hard time with his lips constantly looking for lines. Maximum pressure.

With an annoying uncontrollable wind and two great receivers, the service turned out to be a test. Alcaraz lost his first five break balls against, ssaved 3 out of 10 overall. Korda survived better, saving 13 of 19. The American of Czech descent, from a family of tennis and golf champions, made 43 winning shots, compared to 24 for the Spaniard, who made 36 unforced errors. Less than the opponent, but not enough to devote more time to hit the initiative.

For the job, it will never be Alcaraz’s debt. Not worth going 3-0 in the second round, They also didn’t have three sets of balls in the tenth game. I need a fifth, with service already, to draw on the ‘tiebreak’. Everyone loves it so much for Carlitos on a date with more attitude than inspiration. He is the favorite, having won all six of their previous clay battles this term. He came as a champion, but the ATP Tour process had its pitfalls. And in defeat you learned a lot.

In three hours and two minutes, after several attempts, Alcaraz had to greet his opponent. He wasn’t that day, nor was he that far from success. Baggage. It’s different in recent weeks, but just as important as the story continues.