Ex-ATP pro reveals what’s ‘no longer a case’ about Carlos Alcaraz as the Spaniard survives scare in Rotterdam
World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz played his first match since his defeat to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
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Carlos Alcaraz (via ATP/X)
There were a lot of ups and downs when Carlos Alcaraz was up against wild card entrant Botic Van de Zandschulp in the first round of the Rotterdam Open on Tuesday (February 4). A former player from France, Nicolas Escude, observed one aspect of Alcaraz’s game that needs improvement.
The Spaniard was on the cusp of defeat in the first set as Van de Zandschulp was on a set point, but his double fault helped his opponent claim the set that was pushed into the tie-break. Momentum shifted when the Dutchman restricted the 21-year-old to three games in the second set.
It was then Alcaraz made a dominant comeback to secure a place in the second round with a 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1 triumph. Escude found a lot of things Alcaraz lacked in his game, but he also thinks the youngster can’t improve them because of lack of time.
Before, in one shot, Carlos could put his opponent three meters away without him being able to react, this is no longer the case. Tonight, he made too many forehand errors again. On a lot of sequences, he played while being static while he is very effective when he is moving. So there are still adjustments to be made, that’s obvious.
Nicolas Escude told Eurosport
Alcaraz is yet to win a title on indoor hard courts. The top seed has signed up for the Rotterdam Open for the first time in his career.
Carlos Alcaraz suffered from nerves against Botic Van de Zandschulp
Carlos Alcaraz is a four-time Grand Slam champion, but he still suffers from nerves. The Murcia-born, who sported a nasal strip to help his breathing, made 40 unforced errors in the two opening sets.
After failing to achieve the Career Grand Slam due to defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals, Alcaraz was up against a player who was the reason behind his elimination from the 2024 US Open. Botic Van de Zandschulp had defeated Alcaraz in straight sets in the second round in last year’s event at Flushing Meadows.
I started really nervous, I think it’s normal. The first match in every tournament is never easy. I just had to get used to my first match here in Rotterdam. You have to get used to playing with a full crowd, it’s totally different. I’m just happy to get used to it.
Carlos Alcaraz said during his on-court interview
Alcaraz has improved his head-to-head record against the 29-year-old to 3-1. He will next be facing qualifier Andrea Vavassori or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round. Alcaraz is 1-0 against the Italian and edges Auger-Aliassime 4-3 in their head-to-head contests.
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Gouri Das
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