This time yes. If Koepfer’s withdrawal in the first round did not allow him to pick up the tone at the start of the tournament, his duel with Lloyd Harris gave Carlos Alcaraz the opportunity to start warming up and test his level. The balance? Victory in three sets and two and a half hours. “I’ve had a good game”, acknowledged the number one, “but in the next round we’re going to try to be a little better. My goal is to try to continue refining my shots, my physique and everything for what’s to come”.
The tennis player from Cape Town was a good test for the Murcian. Although currently ranked 177th in the rankings due to two injury-plagued years, Harris had risen to 31st in 2021, the best season of his career, when he defeated Rafa Nadal in Washington and reached the quarterfinals. final at the US Open.
With his new sleeveless shirt and full of energy and good vibes, Carlitos began to cheer up already in the first games of the game: a very powerful forehand here, a left one there, a perfect lob (not easy against an opponent who measures 193 cm )… The “ooohs” and “aaahs” of the public that packed Arthur Ashe showed why the Murcian idol is the great claim of this tournament. “The energy that the public gives you here is totally different from what you experience in other tournaments. Because of my way of playing, because of my way of always wanting to show off, the US Open is where I like to play the most. I have a good time with the audience”.
Inspired by his opponent, Harris tried to respond with the same weapons, with drop shots and lobs and net play, but the difference between them was abysmal. Only in the third set, after a series of unforced errors from Murcia, he managed to make a break that gave him confidence in his serve and put pressure on the Wimbledon champion. But Alcaraz equalized the score and ended up taking the sleeve in sudden death.
His third round rival will be Daniel Evans, the first seed with whom he has faced so far in the tournament. Alcaraz scored wins in the two previous meetings with the Briton. “He is a very tough player, with a good serve and volley, good game at the net. I will have to return very well if I want to win that match.”
If he overcomes that obstacle, he could meet Norrie in the fourth round and Sinner in the quarterfinals, two more rocks on his way to the final. The path to the bottom of the draw seems easier for Djokovic, with favorites such as Ruud, Rune and Tsitsipás falling. “It may be that because of the ranking issue, Djokovic’s table has been cleared, but as it has been shown, all players can achieve great results, so he doesn’t have to let his guard down if he wants to reach the final. And of course Me neither” warned Alcaraz. “Both for the tennis fans and for me too, hopefully I can play another final here against him.”
