The Shanghai Masters 1000 is entering its final stage, and it is doing so with Carlos Alcaraz as the top favorite. The Murcian has reached the round of 16 after two hard-fought victories over Gregoire Barrere and Daniel Evans that allowed him to regain confidence that was somewhat damaged after losing to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals in Beijing.
In the Chinese nations, he is looking to get a little closer to his great goal at the end of the season, to wrest the number 1 from Novak Djokovic. To do this, they must continue to defeat rivals, and the next one seems favorable. We are talking Grigor Dimitrov, who was unable to win a set in the three previous duels between the two.
The Spaniard and the Bulgarian meet for the first time in the round of 16 of the Paris-Bercy Masters 1,000 in 2022with a resounding 6-1 and 6-3 for the former world number 1 who, this year, again defeated him in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open by 6-2 and 7-5 and in the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 from at Queen’s for the double 6-4.
Despite everything, Alcaraz was cautious against a rival he considered “very smart.” “I will try to stay focused at all times and not let him dominate the game. He’s comfortable if the game goes, so I’ll try to put pressure on him“, he commented in a press conference after the duel against Evans where he also spoke about the criticized court conditions. “It’s slower than the United States Open, I have to adapt my game a little bit,” he explained . .
If he wins, it will be the 64th victory for Alcaraz in a 2023 to remember where he lifted six trophies, including Wimbledon, the Mutua Madrid Open and the Godó, results that allowed him to lead the rankings for a good part of the year, a sensation he wants to experience again before the end the season. .
Also this Wednesday will be played the other three rounds of 16 in the upper part of the drawwhich measures Nicolás Jarry with Diego Schwartzman (from here Alcaraz’s rival will appear in the quarterfinals), Ugo Humbert with JJ Wolf and Tommy Paul with Andrey Rublev.
Source: La Verdad
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