A pity! Struff very strong, but Alcaraz wins in Madrid
Jan-Lennard Struff played an impressive final in Madrid against Carlos Alcaraz . He made the big favorite stagger - but he didn't fall. Alcaraz was able to defend his title from the previous year in three sets. With 6: 4, 3: 6 and 6: 3 the Spaniard had the upper hand.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
May 07, 2023, 09:08 pm
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"Struffi" made a classic false start and was too nervous in the first service game. Two doubles by Jan-Lennard Struff in the first service game and Alcaraz started the final with the break. After that, however, the German immediately got into the match better. But you noticed immediately: Struff had to play his very best tennis to even score against the Spaniard. He managed to do that every now and then. And more and more often. When the score was 1: 2, Struff got the break back to zero with very strong returns. So everything was open again in the first set.
Very strong second set by Jan-Lennard Struff
After a few unusual forehand mistakes by Alcaraz, it looked shortly afterwards as if Struff could take matters into his own hands. But at 3:3 Alcaraz struck again and got the second break. Thanks to a double fault from Struff.
The defending champion took this lead and brought home the first set 6:4. Even if he had to fend off two more break chances in the last service game of round one.
And then? Was Struff broken - and the rest a walk for the big favorite? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! Right at the start of the second set, the Warsteiner went ahead with a break and made it 2-0 from his point of view. Followed by 3:0 for the German. And even under pressure from the opponent, Struff remained stable: In a service game that lasted almost a quarter of an hour, Struff fended off five breakballs and was able to hold his serve with incredible volleys to make it 4:1. Alcaraz was quite impressed and was unable to put his stamp on the match as usual. Especially on the forehand he continued to produce some mistakes. The result: 5: 2 for Jan-Lennard Struff. And the outsider actually kept his nerve and could rely on his serve & volley. The second set went to the Germans 6:3.
In the decision-making round, the German started strong again, but was unable to use a sensationally fought breakball when the score was 1:1. His opponents did better in the next Struff service game, which Alcaraz got with one of his typical stops - to 3: 1 from his point of view.
Carried by the local fans, Alcaraz brought this lead to the finish.
The Spaniard was able to defend his Masters title in Madrid with 6: 4, 3: 6 and 6: 3 and is therefore also the top favorite for the French Open.