Carlos Alcaraz survives injury scare and rain delay to win Tokyo opener
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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his round of 32 match against Argentina's Sebastian Baez.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TOKYO – World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz shrugged off an ankle injury to beat Argentina’s Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-2 on Sept 25 in a gritty start to his Japan Open campaign.
The US Open champion crumpled to the ground chasing a shot in the fifth game of the opening set in Tokyo and sat on the court grimacing for several minutes.
The 22-year-old Spaniard had his left ankle heavily strapped during a medical timeout before gingerly returning.
He soon began to move comfortably and broke world No. 41 Baez to take a 5-4 lead.
The match in Tokyo was delayed for a further half an hour as organisers closed the Ariake Coliseum roof with rain falling.
Alcaraz returned strongly and closed out the first set before breezing past Baez in the second.
“I was scared too, I’m not gonna lie,” Alcaraz said.
“When I planted the ankle, I was worried because it didn’t feel good at the beginning. I’m just happy that I was able to play good tennis after that and finish the match quite good. I will try to recover to do whatever it takes to be ready for the next round.
“I was worried that I wouldn’t have the confidence to finish the match, but the physio came and did some tests. It was good I could walk to the bench and that gave me confidence (to continue). I’m trying to have a warrior mentality in every match, in every aspect of everything.”
Alcaraz is playing at the Japan Open for the first time and the crowd gave him a warm cheer as he emerged in a burgundy sleeveless outfit with platinum blond hair.
But their applause soon turned to concern when he went down injured halfway through the first set, with his reaction suggesting he may be unable to continue.
Alcaraz somehow found a way to carry on and went on to dominate the match, winning in 1hr 30min. His next opponent is Belgium’s 45th-ranked Zizou Bergs.
Elsewhere at the China Open in Beijing, Jannik Sinner beat Croatia’s Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-2 to cruise into the round of 16, where the world No. 2 Italian faces qualifier Terence Atmane of France.
In other tennis news, Boris Becker says he regrets winning Wimbledon at the age of just 17 because he struggled to cope with the expectations that followed his first Grand Slam title.
Becker defeated Kevin Curren in the 1985 final at the All England Club to become Wimbledon’s youngest men’s singles champion.
The German, known for his flamboyant style of play, went on to win five more Grand Slams, including Wimbledon in 1986 and 1989, after his breakthrough triumph.
“If you remember any other wunderkind, they usually don’t make it to 50 because of the trials and tribulations that come after,” the 57-year-old told BBC Sport on Sept 24.
“Whatever you do, wherever you go, whoever you talk to, it becomes a world sensation.
“It becomes the headline of some of the most important papers of tomorrow. And you’re just trying to mature, just trying to find your feet in the world.”
Becker has endured a tempestuous life off the court as he battled personal issues and financial problems.
In 2022, he served eight months in prison in England after being sentenced to two-and-a-half years for hiding £2.5 million (S$4.3 million) worth of assets and loans to avoid paying debts.
“When you start a second career, everything is measured at this success of winning Wimbledon at 17. And that changed the road ahead tremendously,” Becker added.
“I’m happy to have won three, but maybe 17 was too young. I was still a child.” AFP, REUTERS
