"Enjoy playing at home" - Carlos Alcaraz triumphs in Marbella
"Youth beats experience" - that was the motto on Thursday afternoon in Marbella, when the only 17-year-old Carlos Alcaraz won Feliciano Lopez, who was twelve more years old, in a purely Spanish clash in the second round of the AnyTech365 Andalucia Open with a 4-6, 6 : 2, 6: 4 bowled out of the tournament.
by Florian Heer from Marbella
last edit: Apr 09, 2021, 09:51 am
It was a duel that was eagerly awaited by around 400 spectators on the grounds of the Tennis Club Puente Romano. On the one hand Alcaraz, who was equipped with a wildcard and only served in a main field on the ATP tour for the sixth time. On the other hand, the seven-time tournament winner, who made his professional tennis debut in 1997.
“It was a pretty tough match. Feli is an excellent player with a great serve and volley. I had to stay focused throughout the match and I'm very happy to have won in the end, ”said the teenager after making his first appearance in a quarter-finals on the ATP tour.
“At the end of the first sentence I was a little confused and that cost me these games. But I stayed calm and I knew what I had to improve. That gave me self-confidence and I was able to handle the entire match mentally well. "
Home game in Andalusia
As usual, Alcaraz was supported by his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and his entourage from his own Equelite Sport Academy in Villena. Often the youngster's fist went towards his own box after successful actions.
“I enjoy playing at home,” revealed Alcaraz. “It's special to be able to play in front of the people who help you. It encourages me and I can benefit from this advantage on the pitch. "
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The calm Ferrero, former number 1 in the world, and the almost shy-looking boy from Murcia off the pitch seem to be an ideal pairing indeed.
During the entire week of the tournament on the Costa del Sol, there is intensive communication during the training sessions and obviously a lot of analysis. Again and again you can see how the two put their heads together when they watch the opponents' matches together.
Alcaraz is expecting Ruud
In the round of the last eight, Alcaraz now faces Casper Ruud, as well as the young star and number three on the seeding list. The 22-year-old Norwegian defeated the formally strong Italian Gianluca Mager, who won the ATP Challenger tournament in Marbella on Sunday, 6: 3, 6: 2.
Ruud, who trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Mallorca, and the 133rd in the ATP world rankings will meet for the first time.
When asked about his next assignment, Alcaraz says: “He's a very good player, number 26 in the world. I've seen a few of his matches and he has a strong serve and very good forehand to watch out for. I'll try to play aggressively and then we'll see what happens. "