“Last year I won in the first round in five sets, this time too, I definitely like to play on grass,” he said. Carlos Alcaraz drawing laughter from the spectators who packed track 1 of Wimbledon and who stood up to applaud the triumph of the 19-year-old from Murcia, in his debut against Jan-Lennard Struff. With your suffering and thanks to the “best match” of his career in terms of serving (30 aces, his record)as he himself recognized, the great sensation of world tennis surpassed by 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (3) and 6-4 in 4h11 to a very rocky rival, the 32-year-old German and 155 in the world, who had to play the previous one after a few months marked by an injury to his right foot that had only allowed him to play 12 games so far this season.
“I feel great, playing here is amazing, and winning this amazing match is very important to me. I didn’t expect to play so well today.”, acknowledged Carlitos after beating a Struff who gave it his all against an opponent who gave him 73 winning shots, counteracting his ability as a server and attacker with an improved recipe. Not even with the advantages that he had during the match, was he able to break the will of the Spaniard, who He has arrived at the tournament short of preparation and with discomfort in his right elbow, which forces him to play with a sleeve or brazera, as he calls it, to protect and warm the affected area.
The truth is that Alcaraz was able to close the match in the fourth set, when he had four break points to take a 5-4 lead and service turn. He did not convert them and he had to suffer. It was in those moments when he conveyed the most emotion to the spectators, already warned of what they could see and enjoy, with spectacular defenses (how well the ball cuts pass in the race) and lethal counterattacks. Struff, titanic, did not give up until the end. In 2021, he had beaten Alcaraz at Roland Garros. Since then, the Spaniard has gained 90 places in the world ranking, up to seventh, while the German has seen himself outside the top-100. After a tough and demanding start to the championship, will face the Dutch Griekspoor or the Italian Fognini on Wednesday, with the intention of reaching the third round of the British major for the first time. It is worth bearing in mind, when assessing his progress and the effort it takes him to win on grass, that this is the second tournament he has played on that surface. Patience is essential in his case and in that of all those who expect so much from him.
Great in matches resolved in the fifth set
One of the most positive notes of Alcaraz’s victory is the skill that he shows every time he finds himself with resolved matches in the fifth set. This is the sixth he has played in his career and he has won five. He only lost to Berrettini at the last Australian Open, and he did so in the tie-break. With that and the service at the height that he put on this occasion, many matches can be won on English grass.
Jan-Lennard Struff
vs
Carlos Alcaraz
Sets:
within/totals
13/13
100%
within/totals
113/210
53%
within/totals
111/170
65%
within/totals
88/113
77%
within/totals
84/111
75%
within/totals
53/164
32%
within/totals
75/206
36%