Carlos Alcaraz is never easy to deal with, but if the Murcian is in a state of grace above it, things get complicated. Gael Monfils knows this well, having experienced the Murcian gale the previous morning, winning the round of 16 of the Miami Open by a resounding 6-2, 6-4 in just an hour and a quarter.
The Frenchman tried everything and made some real hits, but Alcaraz became a real wall that all his attempts failed.
The Frenchman’s desperation was evident in the conversation with his coach caught on camera. “I can’t pass him. I need to be big. It’s crazyMonfis shouted.
His coach’s response could not have been clearer. “It is everywhere“.
Alcaraz was very serious from start to finish and didn’t even take a break despite the Frenchman’s physical problems. He never lost the thread of the duel, successfully moving the ball side to side, breaking Monfils’ serve again in the first set and scoring the opening set in 32 minutes.
With resignation and a crooked smile, the Frenchman continued on court although in the second set he surrendered his first serve blank and lost his serve again moments later (4-1).
The only drawback for Alcaraz was that he agreed to a break (the only one in the entire match) when he served to win against the proud Monfils (5-3).
But he corrected it with great solvency on his next serve turn, he completed the victory without leaving room for any surprises and still had time to score some amazing points that got the public on their feet and that even Monfils greeted with a smile.
The Murcian has been a nightmare for French tennis players, as he has accumulated an impressive 12-1 against rivals from that country (his only loss was against Hugo Gaston in 2021 at the Paris Masters 1,000) .
NBA Miami Heat player Jimmy Butler and Alcaraz’s friend, Brazilian soccer player Neymar and former Argentine tennis player Juan Martín Del Potro were among the celebrities spotted Monday at the stands of Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami is a tournament that brings back good memories for Alcaraz since in 2022 he won his first Masters 1,000 title there.
In 2023 he lost in the semifinals against the Italian Jannik Sinner (n.3) but now seeks the double known as the ‘Sunshine Double’, that is, to be champion in the same year in Indian Wells and Miami.
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.
