Carlos Alcaraz is ready to face big challenges at the Australian Open. Only the second official match of the season, and showing a very high level in 3h.25′ of playing against an opponent that was supposed to be difficult, who offered their best version.
Italian Lorenzo Sonego, 28 years old and number 46, tested the Spaniard, who responded to the quality of number 2 with two Grand Slam titles and is a strong candidate for the title in Melbourne.
He left the Spanish set, but that setback gave more value to his victory. He won 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3 and 7-6 (3), on Saturday he will face the Chinese Junchen Shang, 18 years old, or the Indian ‘qualy’ in the third round, round of 32. Sumit Nagal. A more than fitting cross for the Spaniard at this stage of the tournament.
Alcaraz and Sonego displayed a wealth of resources that delighted the crowd at Rod Laver Arena. Lobs, drop shots, aces (12 for the Murcian), punches from under the legs, from behind and also from the front. A show. Technical prowess, combined with hitting power which is essential in this era. Everything was run at breakneck speed.
The Spaniard, who had more responsibility because of his status, did not deviate from his plan even for a moment. Even losing the tiebreak, where Sonego came out, caused him to be destabilized. He has matured in that sense. Failure like giving up in the second set does not mean punishing yourself afterwards. On the contrary, his reaction is quick and effective.
The ‘break’ seemed definitive at the beginning of the fourth set, but Sonego has a lot of confidence since he won the Davis Cup with his compatriot Jannik Sinner, whom he accompanied in singles and doubles in Malaga. The talented Turin man wanted more, and he gave none.
After holding his serve comfortably, Alcaraz served it up for 1-1 in the final set. More work to be done against a rival as aggressive as he is. Not a short ball and a lot of inventiveness.
An encounter to gnaw at. Carlos Alcaraz will be strengthened because he was forceful, brilliant, in the tiebreak that ended his classification.
Equals his best result at the Australian Open. The third round in 2022 is good, it only represents the mandatory passing point in 2024. Alcaraz, though a semi-finalist in his last Grand Slams, will go for the jackpot. That was his ambition.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
