Carlos Alcaraz looked at his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. In his eyes there are certain doubts and search for answers. These arrived quickly. Very fast. From less to more, the Murcian gave a good account of the Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild (6-3, 6-3) and comfortably reached the round of 16 of the Madrid Masters 1,000. He achieved three objectives. The first, win. The second, take temperature. And the third, not to wear himself out excessively (1 hour, 15 minutes), despite falling asleep when he only had to seal the victory. Now, in the next round he will face the German Jan-Lennard Struff this Tuesday.
The Spaniard appeared idling on the Manolo Santana track. Quite cautiously in his second game after the injury that prevented him from participating in Monte Carlo and in Godó, the Murcian did not transmit that youthful spark that is so engaging. Nor did the Caja Mágica, more sleepy after the previous day’s drunkenness of emotions with Nadal, show the same electricity.
In front of Alcaraz a tennis player of contrasts. If he were a footballer from the 80s, it would be said that Seyboth Wild is a Estudio Estadio player. That is, great actions that can appear in the summaries. But if you open the focus you see that the Brazilian lacks poise and continuity. There is a reason he is 63rd in the world at 24 years old and he is not higher in the ranking.
He started by distributing direct serves and placing forehands of sensational power and placement. But at the same time he alternated it with gross mistakes. He played practically alone while Alcaraz stayed to watch them come. That’s how it was until 3-2. From here the Murcian tennis player raised the level, especially with his forehand, he used more of his varied repertoire and began to chain games. He took up to nine in a row to put the game on trial.
At the same time, Seyboth Wild, denounced in his country for gender violence, left aside the winning blows and multiplied his failures. Surprisingly, when he had everything lost he reacted to take three games, although it must be said that Alcaraz had fallen into obvious relaxation. That didn’t stop him from finishing the game. For 20 minutes it seemed like he would have difficulties but the solidity of his opponent turned out to be a mirage.
The player from El Palmar did not need to boost his best version because he still has to acquire more rhythm on clay, but he did show progress and took a step forward in his necessary set-up.
