Carlos Alcaraz survives scare at Madrid Open
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Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates his win against Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MADRID – Carlos Alcaraz could be running out of ideas even before the start of the French Open in May.
The Madrid Open defending champion survived a scare before beating Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round on Friday, but admitted he “didn’t know what to do” at key parts of the match.
“It was really tough. I would say I was about to lose. It was complicated. There were moments that I didn’t know what to do,” said world No. 2 and US Open champion Alcaraz, who famously defeated Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the Spanish capital in 2022.
Alcaraz, fresh from retaining his Barcelona title, will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the last 16.
The 19-year-old Spaniard hit 10 aces in his 36 winners against his 41st-ranked opponent but was forced to save nine of 11 break points in the 2hr 16min clash. Five of those came when he was 3-2 down in the second set.
“I was really happy I was able to save that game and come back a bit,” said Alcaraz.
“It was really tough. Emil played unbelievably, but I am really, really happy to get through that.”
In an indication of his frustration, the teenager speared his racket into the court as he was staring down the barrel in the sixth game of the second set.
“I don’t support that type of thing, the racket came out and I regret it,” he admitted.
In sharp contrast, women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek cantered to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Austrian lucky loser Julia Grabher.
The Pole did not play in Madrid in 2022, but that did not dent her clay-court form as she went on to capture a second French Open later in the season.
After winning the Stuttgart title last weekend, Swiatek is riding a five-match winning streak on the surface.
“I think just being patient,” she said on court after her 21st win of the season.
“My opponent played really high topspin and sometimes I felt like I was rushing to finish the point, but I needed to be patient because they weren’t easy balls. I’m glad that in the important moments I could find the solutions.
“For sure every match is important for me, to get used to the conditions and adjust to this court a little bit more.”
Swiatek will next face American left-hander Bernarda Pera.
In Saturday’s action, world No. 3 Daniil Medvedev saw off Andrea Vavassori 6-4, 6-3 to reach the third round, where he will face fellow Russian Alexander Shevchenko.
In the women’s draw, Belarusian world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka beat Camila Osoria of Colombia 6-4, 7-5 to reach the round of 16. AFP
