ATP Marbella: A superlative Spanish generation duel
At the ATP 250 event in Marbella there is an extremely interesting match-up in round two: the generation duel between Feliciano Lopez and Carlos Alcaraz.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Apr 07, 2021, 08:43 am
Even at the first glance at the grid of the ATP 250 event in Marbella, a possible second-round encounter stood out in particular: the duel between veteran Feliciano Lopez and youngster Carlos Alcaraz. No less than 22 years of life separate the two compatriots - the 39-year-old Lopez is known as an absolute veteran on the ATP tour, while Alcaraz is well on the way to shaping the next few years of tennis.
The two local heroes left little doubt in their first round matches, this match-up could still be thwarted, after two two-set successes the clash was perfect. A meeting of two friends, as Alcaraz explained after his opening win: "Feli and I have already met at a few tournaments. We have a good relationship, I get on well with him. Off the pitch we can be friends, understand each other and say hello but what lies ahead is a match and on the pitch it's a fight. "
Lopez gives Alcaraz wildcard
Particularly explosive: Feliciano Lopez, already part-time in a role that is widespread among tennis professionals after the end of his career - namely as tournament director of the ATP 1000 event in Madrid - Alcaraz recently had another career highlight with a wild card for that tournament bestows. A circumstance that the 17-year-old doesn't want to think about during the match: "I'm not going to think about things outside of the game. I have to focus on the things I have to do and try to be at a good level play."
Despite his young age of 17, Carlos Alcaraz can already look back on some highlights in his career. Last year, the man from El Palmar celebrated a sensational debut on the ATP tour with a win against Albert Ramos-Vinolas, this year he achieved world number 133 a win against David Goffin. If Alcaraz wins the generation duel with Feli Lopez, it could lead to a clash with third seeded Casper Ruud. Pablo Carreno Busta starts the race in Marbella as number one.