“He doesn’t always get it right,” Andy Murray reveals watching Carlos Alcaraz’s “mistakes” hours before impending faceoff against Andrey Rublev

The Briton advanced into the second round following a sensational win over David Goffin in the first round of the ongoing 2024 Indian Wells Masters.

“He doesn’t always get it right,” Andy Murray reveals watching Carlos Alcaraz’s “mistakes” hours before impending faceoff against Andrey Rublev

Carlos Alcaraz and Andy Murray (Images via IMAGO)

Former World No. 1 Andy Murray made a rapid start at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters. Ranked 61st currently, he took on World No. 112 and former World No. 7 David Goffin in the first round.

Murray put on a masterclass winning the match 6-3, 6-2 in 1 hour and 20 minutes. With only five games dropped, it is the least number of games he has dropped in a non-Challenger match in the last 18 months.

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Having started the season with a 0-4 record, Murray has improved slightly, getting his record to 3-6. Runner-up in Indian Wells in 2009, the Briton has made a positive start to his campaign this year. As he analyzed the match with Tennis Channel, the Briton commented on various other aspects too.

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He particularly commented on World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard is the defending champion in Indian Wells this year. The 20-year-old has already spent 36 weeks as the World No. 1, five short of what Murray was able to.

With two Grand Slam singles titles including Wimbledon, it’s no wonder he’s called the future of the sport. The Briton, however, spoke about what he likes about the game of Alcaraz. He did point out the mistakes he makes, but the unpredictable nature of the Spaniard’s game has Murray hooked. 

I love watching Alcaraz because of the way he plays the game. He has so much variety & power & he tries stuff. He doesn’t always get it right. He makes mistakes and that’s also something I enjoy watching. You never know what’s gonna come next.
Said Murray speaking with Tennis Channel.

A big second-round test for Andy Murray as Andrey Rublev awaits

Following the win over Goffin, Murray will now take on World No. 5 Andrey Rublev in the second round. The Russian had a bye in the first round owing to his seeding. It will also mark his first match since his controversial default in Dubai a few days ago.

Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev
Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev (Image via IMAGO)

While many players like Nick Kyrgios have commented on Rublev’s default, Murray is yet to address it. This will be the third meeting between the two players. The head-to-head currently stands tied at 1-1.

Both of their previous meetings took place in the second round of the tournaments, and the unusual streak continues this time, too. They first met in the second round of the Australian Open in 2017, followed by a second-round clash in the Rotterdam Open in 2021.

Murray won the tie in Melbourne in straight sets while Rublev also clinched a straight-set win in Rotterdam. The Russian boasts a 12-3 record on outdoor hardcourts while Murray is 3-4. However, given the current circumstances, it would surely be a cracker of a contest between the two men.

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