What a bad time it was Carlos Alcaraz! Uncomfortably, overtaken in what had been their fiefdom for the past fourteen games. The two-time champion, the undisputed best in 2022 and 2023, gave up his crown at the Masters 1000 ATP Mutua Madrid Open.
He lost 4-6, 6-3 and 6-2 in two hours against the Russian Andrey Rublev, 26 years old and world No. 8, which was resurrected in the Caja Mágica. Arriving with the burden of four consecutive losses, he entered the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time, against the American Taylor Fritz or the Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
Emotions were high at the Manolo Santana Stadium, once again the roof was closed due to rain in the Spanish capital. In the early morning he said goodbye Rafael Nadalthe five-time champion, said goodbye in the afternoon to a cruel Alcaraz, hurt that he could not give his best performance at home.
He won his last 24 games including Barcelona and Madrid. He could beat Nadal’s streak in Madrid with a fifteenth consecutive victory that never came. A fierce opponent took it from him, who played a fantastic game, especially from the serve. And finishing on the right.
Distressing for Alcaraz because he seemed very fair from the second set. He spent a month dealing with an arm injury, missed Monte Carlo and the Gothic. He arrived in Madrid, allegedly looking at the muscle that was causing the pain. The same is mitigated, even the Murcian declared on Tuesday, after losing Jan-Lennard Struffwho can now think about fighting for the trophy.
He will give it, he was dethroned by Rublev, who in the second set hit 90% of the first serves, won the winning blows against Alcaraz, where he took revenge for the defeat in the last ATP Finals.
Alcaraz, without a historic hat trick in Madrid, left without the gift he was looking for for a 21st birthday which he will celebrate in a different way on the day of the final. The tournament will have a new king.
It’s just around the corner Romeapproaching Roland Garros. Alcaraz has time and resources, as long as his body supports him in what will be a difficult season for him. Except for the joy of renewing hegemony in Indian Wells, all setbacks.
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.
