Sometimes Wimbledon is like being in Casablanca waiting for a salvo during World War II. It’s about waiting, waiting and waiting, and seizing the moment when it’s your turn to play. As in Casablanca, in this case the film, there is action, passion and protagonists. On Friday, intense after the accumulated delay in the program during the week due to rain, Carlos Alcaraz disguised himself as Humphrey Bogart to take the initiative, defeat the Frenchman Alexandre Muller in 2 hours, 32 minutes and stand in third round Today the Chilean Nicolás Jarry is waiting for him.
The Murcian was not the grandiloquent and brilliant tennis player of other days. He went out to play cold in the central All England Club and never showed his most radiant version after two days in which he devoted himself simply to training. He did, however, maintain his concentration and seriousness enough not to complicate his life against a modest but enthusiastic opponent. For Muller it was his fifth appearance in a Grand Slam and his first match on a center court of these characteristics. Barely ranked 84 in the world and with just eight wins on the circuit at the age of 26, it seemed little more than sparring for Alcaraz.
But Palmar had more problems than expected during several phases of the game. There was no way he was stringing together several points in a row without mistakes, he was racking up unforced errors, especially with his forehand, and he wasn’t as cheerful and artistic. From time to time, of course, he drew a signature piece or gifted the generous Wimbledon audience with a volley of eyeliner. Select drops of quality. It wasn’t enough to win easily, but it was enough to keep going. A break in the seventh game of the first set served him to win it and in the second there was no way to break Muller’s serve. The Frenchman even came close to breaking Alcaraz’s serve, who had to wait for sudden death to clear the second set. In the tie-break, Alcaraz, like the great tennis players in these cases, was much superior.
On grass, it’s essential to be patient and not despair on the days when you don’t feel the ball, when you can’t find the distances and when the rhythm is interrupted. The best thing for Alcaraz in this match is that he managed not to lose his temper. He didn’t over-enthusiastically celebrate successes or shout after mistakes. He devoted himself almost exclusively to doing the minimum to obtain a victory that he will not remember much, but which serves him to accumulate experience on grass. It is only his fourth tournament on this surface and he showed that he needs more shooting.
In the third set Alcaraz certified the victory after a break in the eighth game. Today he will try to take another step forward. Sometimes you show off. Others, you simply win.
Meanwhile, the other Spaniards in the men’s team experienced a day of ups and downs. Davidovich beat Van De Zandschulp, but Carballés lost to Rune.
In a much more emotional fight for British viewers, the Scottish Andy Murray, in a match that did not end on Thursday, fell against the Greek Stéfanos Tsitsipas in five sets and 4 hours and 40 minutes of battle.
