Carlos Alcaraz shoots arrows from the center of the Arthur Ashe, because that's what he had promised his family and he, already qualified for the third round of this US Open, is a type of word. "My little brothers are here and they always tell me things from the stands. They wanted me to do the bow and arrow, and they have also done it from the box, so I dedicate it to them," he transmits smiling after the powerful reaction that has ended the brave offensive of Jaime Faria (23 years old and 72º) and that contributes to continuing to clear up doubts. Among other things, it shows that the good guys do not forget what they are about and that their physique – specifically the right wrist – is responding adequately to the demands proposed in the first two stages of the tournament.
The 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 and 6-2, signed in 2h 40m, leads him towards Friday's meeting with the Chinese Yibing Wu (113th in the world) and sends another hopeful message, while beyond the victory, Alcaraz embraces form above all: raising the level, exposing his body and the joint to higher loads (risks, actually), and quickly approaching the competitor who had to step aside almost five months ago. More rhythm, better punch, more refined maneuvers. A more harmonious performance and, at the same time, dotted with a series of difficulties that are solved based on good arguments. If on Monday he resolved against Roman Safiullin with a show of control, in a straight line, this time he does so by exhibiting hierarchy between the zigzags.
Faria's character was known - hooked on with the stands two days before - and it didn't take long for the Portuguese to demonstrate it, a player who carries himself with personality, without being overly burdened by the stage (24,000 spectators at the end of the day) or accusing the presence of the one in front of him. A challenger from the beginning, he wants to leave his mark regardless of what happens: if he falls, it is better to do it that way. Being brave. Let it not be kneeling. Without fears. So he shoots like someone who has little to lose, with force, trying shots from forced positions and putting pressure on Alcaraz. Unceremoniously, he climbs into the Murcian's beard because if there is a time to do it, it is now, in the midst of the reunion process.
This edition has nothing to do with the previous one, when the Spaniard paraded from start to finish, brushing everyone off, as if they were flies. This time, forced by circumstances, Alcaraz competes with the logical insecurities of someone who has suffered a delicate injury and does not yet have them all with him. Beyond the rhythm, which should not take too long to pick up, what really worries you is the degree of speed you can apply in the maneuvers; that is, when it can really hit. So once he has lost the first set and the slope has inclined, he reacts: "What do I do with the serve? What do I do with the serve?", he repeats several times, heading to his bench.
Troubleshoot
"I was feeling great, but I missed an easy forehand on a break ball and then he did it to me. Instead of taking my time, I was in a hurry and against an opponent like Jaime, who beats you at 225 km/h, it's really difficult..." he will explain later. Content up to that point, the moment will soon arrive that marks the final frontier of the party, when it cancels a double break option that represents the progressive collapse of Faria. For the Portuguese, nothing is the same anymore, his blows are no longer the same and now the one who enjoys it is Alcaraz, whose smile is slowly disappearing. Unbeatable signal. Reggaeton is playing at full blast and the Murcian, a highly motivated tennis player, has taken off his shirt.
And so, as if by magic (but with reasoning behind it), everything changes. The aroma is different. Far from giving in, Alcaraz finds in the rival's challenge the perfect incentive to uncover his repertoire and impose it with great ardor; from moderation to overwhelming. He throws a couple of millimeter lobs and raises the tone of his forehand, while increasing the percentages with the serve - he starts with 52% of his serves and ends with 65% - and also the speed - from 195 km/h to a peak of 209 km/h. From one end of the duel to the other, his tennis draws an upward curve that, once again, the tennis player celebrates, happy to recognize himself and, above all, that his wrist holds up.
There is no better mental reinforcement than solving problems as you go, and against the Portuguese he finds exactly what he needs. For every complication, an accurate response. This half-baked version is enough for the player in front to feel in the end that everything he does will be in vain, because if it doesn't get too hot, Alcaraz's tennis is devastating. The Portuguese delivers an exceptional shot that goes around the net from the side, but he hasn't blinked and has already conceded several blows that remind him who he is playing against. It hasn't arrived, but it's on its way. The Spaniard overcomes the disadvantage and, from there, something similar to freedom is appreciated. His game regains naturalness and his loyalists fantasize, the midnight thought tempting: What if he had come for more than just a test?
“I MISSED THE TENSE MOMENTS”
A.C. | Madrid
“I'm not going to lie, I would have liked it to have been faster…” Alcaraz joked in the conference room; “But, in the end, having played four sets has been good to test my body, to know how I felt physically and how I will feel tomorrow.”
The young man from Murcia assures that he feels “very good in general terms” and that he is heading where he wants; that is, to the fact that, he emphasizes, there are no reasons “to be afraid and not hit the ball normally.”
At the same time, he indicates that his priority objective is to “finish the tournament healthy, no matter how far it goes,” and that “he missed the nerves, the pressure, the tense and difficult moments,” as well as “the challenge of how to handle them.”
Finally, Alcaraz defined the Chinese Wu (7-5, 6-3 and 6-1 James Duckworth) as a “very talented” player, “with very clean timing and ball striking.” There is only one meeting between the two; It was two years ago, at the Shanghai Masters. Number three won in two sets.
