Carlos Alcaraz already has the Shanghai Masters 1000 between his eyebrows. The Murcian landed in the Chinese city on Thursday with the aim of removing the thorn after the defeat against Jannik Sinner in Beijing and aiming to continue the fight to seize the number 1 ranking from Novak Djokovic.
“I train and go to tournaments with one goal, to try to finish the year as number 1, so I have Novak in mind almost every training session.. I have to give 100% on every ball to be able to catch him,” said the Wimbledon champion in a press conference.
In his loss to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals in Beijing, Alcaraz explained that “he talked to Juan Carlos about what I can change, about how to be better. Obviously I have to do my homework, watch the game again and see things more clearly”, and then highlight “There is only one day of training left before the tournament starts, but I think I will be ready, I will change my mistake in Beijing. I’m very motivated.”
Alcaraz will make his penultimate Masters 1000 debut of the season on Saturday against Gregoire Barrerewho defeated Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-2 this Thursday.
The Frenchman, number 73 in the world and he has never facedwill be the first obstacle on his way to the title and number 1, a slightly easier path than on other occasions.
If he beats Barrere, world number 2 could face Daniel Evans in the third round.. In the round of 16, Grigor Dimitrov or Karen Khachanov will appear on their way, while Taylor Fritz or Frances Tiafoe (both will appear in Shanghai after the Laver Cup) will appear as more likely opponents in the quarterfinals.
If we say that Alcaraz has a more affordable route, it is basically because the hypothetical semi-final match, where he avoids players of the stature of Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune or Casper Ruud.
His hypothetical rival will emerge from the rivalry that will face two of the players with the worst streaks today in the quarterfinals: Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev.
Source: La Verdad
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