Carlos Alcaraz He enters the 2024 US Open with a bang. He left Arthur Ashe Stadium with a bang as well. His first visit to center court at Flushing Meadows, in the always electric New York night session, started and ended well, although it included a short but complicated desert crossing.
Alcaraz, 21 years old and world No. 3, had trouble in his debut, but he knows how to pull it off with quality. He was superior, he overcame his own setback which opened the door to his rival, which led to an additional problem that the Murcian was forced to face.
In the end result, there is nothing to worry about. Even a special shoot for what comes next. The main goal was more than achieved, Carlos Alcaraz he beat the Australian Li Tu28 years old and world number 186, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 and 6-1 in 2h.42′.
On Thursday, a new match, against the Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp, 28 years old and number 74, Canadian Denis Shapovalov won 6-4, 7-5 and 6-4.
With more minutes of competition in his legs, without the nerves of any Grand Slam debut, a category in which Alcaraz maintains his unbeaten streak: 15 consecutive wins after chaining titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, 60 wins in their total. His new mission includes the recapture of the US Open, his in 2022, where he opened the ‘big’ account, which he wants to increase to five.
Everything happened very quickly in the career of Alcaraz, who is usually an intense tennis player. With maturity, you limit unnecessary risks, as well as acquire new tools to cope when you enter a crisis of confidence or chaos. Those episodes where you rush when anxiety builds, chastising yourself for not keeping the appropriate line.
It happened against a ‘qualy’, in only his second Grand Slam match. A Tu who dreamed of being Alcaraz’s equal. After the first defeat, a resounding 6-2 in 29′, the logical relaxation of one and the raising of the level of the other, because he lost his fear of the stage and the opponent.
With 4-3 and serve, it seemed like everyone was ready for a decision, but Alcaraz gave away his serve, and he suddenly lost his emotions and lost confidence. Negative side of 0-3, set delivered (4-6).
Delirium in the stands due to the response of the weakest, a Li Tu who dares to do everything, competing in ‘points’ with a worried Alcaraz. He didn’t understand why he went off course, and struggled to correct his serve. Three double faults meant defeat in the second set, on the fifth ball against it. And he was surprised by the strength of a logically unleashed opponent when he opened the door to hope.
“Accept it,” his coach invited him. Juan Carlos Ferrero. Let him not lose hope, let him rebuild the foundations that he himself destroyed. With dedication, Alcaraz improved, regained ground. And he delivered in a big way, with a 9-0 run from 2-3 in the third set. They took it 6-3 and went ahead 5-0 in what would be the fourth and final.
To save the day, Tu had to keep smiling because he had fun. So he even dared to serve under. He realized his rudeness and apologized to Alcaraz. For him, the scratch of the set is a party. For Carlos, it is an obligation to rediscover success after losing the Olympic final with Novak Djokovic and fall, breaking the racket, with Gael Monfils in Cincinnati.
Regaining normalcy. He got into trouble, he got out. These are transformations, breakthroughs that will help later.
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.
