A record-breaking Alcaraz survives his own madness to take another step towards maturity

In disbelief as if desperate, Carlos Alcaraz He looked in his box looking for explanations. Serving for the match with a wide 5-2 in the third set against a surrendering opponent and with the public applauding all his shots of talent with his happy head shots, a chain of failures that he pounced on joy Hubert Hurkacz He left him 5-6 down suddenly under pressure to serve to go to the tie-break. In the service of not losing something he earned. He beat him 3-6, 7-6 (2) and 7-6 (3) to advance to the quarterfinals in Toronto. But, at that time, I didn’t understand anything.

-Head and heart-, he snapped with signs Antonio Martinez Cascales, under his management at this Canadian Masters 1,000 replacing Juan Carlos Ferrero. Part of his grandfather’s motto that governs his thinking and to which he refers as soon as the meeting ends: head, heart… and balls. Carlitos is the hard-working grandson who once again became the devastating best tennis player in the world. A genius with a genius.

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“It has been a roller coaster. It was really difficult, I served for the game. In the tie-break, I told myself to do it, to play my game”, assured Alcaraz at the foot of the court in an interview to Sportsnet that emotions are still hot. In the rooms are waiting for you Tommy Paul his executioner last year in Montreal, or Marcos Giron this Friday or Saturday morning.

Emotions are not measured by numbers but the number indicates how big Alcaraz is. Especially if you put it in context. The Murcian equals himself official record followed by victories with 14 -it will not go beyond this because the ATP does not count the two in the Hopman Cup-, with elimination against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of Roland Garros after withdrawing as the last loss.

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So, the world number 1 lamented the high cost of nerves of playing against ‘Nole’. Although the Wimbledon final was the best display of his mental evolution, Carlitos had to tame a bunch of nerves in the constant emotional ups and downs against Hurkacz, typical of a teenager from 20 years. But his advanced maturity is stronger than his youthful sins in a clash that wakes up compromised and can end up twisted in the night.

A difficult day in every way that Alcaraz knows how to solve, because being the best will also correct this kind of day even if everything is against it. The Pole, number 17 in the world, drew attention to Ben Shelton. He is also a Cañonero, service at more than 200 km/h, he knows that plan of not giving rhythm to Carlitos by beating him with ‘aces’ in the heart. In fact, Alcaraz had to beat Hurkacz in the semifinals of the 2022 Masters in Miami which he won with a double tie-break.

More than one ATP coach thinks that, if there really is a formula to getting Carlos Alcaraz, it’s to play him fast, without rest, so as not to give him a moment to position himself and execute any of his many devastating blows, for power or finesse. Based on his serve, Hubert Hurkacz did not give the El Palmar player time or space, shooting him very deep, especially in cross to the right to prevent Carlitos from reaching the track. In a brilliant 0-3 start for the Pole, Alcaraz appeared to be caught in the vicious circle of Hurkacz’s impeccable success with his tiralineas game and his mistakes. When he got on the track to hit the ball, the Murcian failed.

The 17th ranked break as soon as the second set began marked the resurgence of the Murcian, who responded by breaking Murcian’s serve for the first time to begin lubricating his game and eventually subdue his rival in his dizzying game until his death. sudden collapse at the end of the third set.

His footwork was getting faster and faster to catch up with Hurkacz’s hitting and lead the exchanges. And when that happens, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and few can match Alcaraz who not only reacts, but also anticipates what he will do with a win or a drop shot, which can fall at any time.

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The Murcian did not sign up for the second set in the tiebreaker because of the consistency of the service that the Pole lost in the third set, without giving Carlitos a break on the second serve. Regaining confidence to impress the public fantasy stuff, although, his way of life, he also lets them out even when he’s not at his best. One of them, minus the second serve with a drop. The ball remained in the net but it provoked laughter from the public, unfortunately unable to believe everything Alcaraz was doing, who made him feel like he was in Spain with some rhythmic songs of “Come on, Carlos.”

Incidentally, the world number 1 extended the night in Toronto with his intriguing disconnect from the match. For him another lesson, for the public another intense experience with Alcaraz, who shook hands with his rival in the middle of the game -Hurkacz shook hands after a drop-, and came out of his own problems smiling. That’s right Carlos.