From destroying the number 5 in the world to passing those of CaÃn against 41. From shining in a final to suffering in his debut. From smiling in Barcelona to trembling to win in Madrid. Title defending Carlos Alcaraz survived an erratic day to defeat Finn Emil Ruusuvuori 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in 2 hours and 16 minutes. In the next round, the Bulgarian Dimitrov awaits him.
Five days after lifting the Godó Trophy with a tennis exhibition against Tsitsipás Alcaraz, he returned to the arena to debut at the Caja Mágica. In the spotlight, the Murcian had a hard time carbureting from the beginning. He did not hit the height of the balls, he was entangled in a string of errors and did not show his usual body language, full of confidence and aggressiveness.
It was a duller Alcaraz, cold, without rhythm. In front, Ruusuvuori, eighth finalist in Barcelona, ​​hardly made any mistakes and read the Murcian’s serves very well, who did not seem to have the best feelings. The Finn was disconcerting him and in the fourth game he already broke his serve to confirm the break below. Neither the right hand nor a backhand that tormented him nor the left ones did not work for the Spanish. He looked at his corner, at a worried Juan Carlos Ferrero, and he didn’t get out of the skein. In just 36 minutes 6-2 for Ruusuvuori, with 14 unforced errors by Alcaraz, who had not lost a single set in Barcelona last week.
There was the danger of falling into precipitation and the situation required holding on to the track and arming yourself with patience. Alcaraz likes to hit, command and speed up. But the party asked to focus, find a safety zone and let time pass.
What time brought was a fundamental game. The sixth of the second set. It lasted almost 14 minutes and Alcaraz saved (with 3-2 against) five breaking balls. One of them with a soon sensational boat. That spectacular point redoubled the passion of the Murcian, who came crashing down and in the following game achieved his first break. Alcaraz’s ascent, with a great rest, coincided with the Finn’s nerves, who until then had felt very safe. Result, 6-4 for Alcaraz in one hour and tied game.
The third set started with another break from Murcia, who no longer lost the initiative, managed a new break to make it 4-1 and ended the match shortly after. The scare had passed.