Alcaraz shines in straightforward victory over Seyboth Wild to reach last 16 in Madrid
Carlos Alcaraz beat Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3, 6-3 in the Spanish capital. He will play Jan-Lennard Struff, the No 23 seed, in the next round
Carlos Alcaraz, Madrid Open, 2024 © Panoramic / Panoramic
Carlos Alcaraz produced some typically superb tennis as he reached the last 16 of the Madrid Open courtesy of a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 victory over Thiago Seyboth Wild.
There was some uncertainty as to how the young Spaniard would perform this year in Madrid, having had to withdraw from both Monte-Carlo and then Barcelona Open with a lower right-arm injury.
On the evidence of his two matches in the Spanish capital so far, however, there was little reason to be concerned.
Fresh from a one-sided opening-round win against Alexander Shevchenko, Alcaraz stepped out onto Manolo Santana against Seyboth Wild today looking every bit the two-time defending champion.
For his part, the Brazilian held firm until 3-3 in the opening set, before Alcaraz effortlessly transitioned into another gear, breaking twice either side of a hold of serve to sprint to a one-set lead.
From that point, the world No 3 looked all but impossible to catch. Deploying his trademark set of breathtaking shots from his toolbox, Alcaraz broke twice more to breeze into a 5-0 lead in the second set.
There was a blemish on the scorecard for the Spaniard, however, who lost focus briefly towards the end of the match. His opponent was able to take advantage, breaking serve as Alcaraz served for victory, before the Wimbledon champion was able to get over the line at the second time of asking.
“I think I played a really good level,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview.
“Coming into this match I was nervous a bit because I didn’t know how my forearm would be. Thiago has big shots. He hits the ball strong. I didn’t know how it would be.
“I’m really happy with my performance. It was difficult at the end, difficult to deal with the nerves. It’s been a while since I felt those kind of nerves. Really happy to win at the end and have another chance in the next round.”
rematch of last year’s final as struff up next for alcaraz
Next up for the Spaniard is a rematch of last year’s surprise final when he takes on Jan-Lennard Struff for a place in the quarter-finals.
2023’s showpiece was a pleasantly surprising affair, with Struff pushing Alcaraz to three entertaining sets before eventually succumbing to defeat.
“Hopefully the result is going be like the final last year,” Alcaraz continued, when asked about facing Struff again.
“I know his level. I know a little bit about his game. I know I have to play my best if I want to beat him. Big shots and big serve.
“I have to be focused on the return and putting as many balls in as I can and being in the rally. It’s going to be a difficult one.”
The early signs for Alcaraz are looking good in Madrid. He has dispatched two potentially dangerous opponents with relative ease. But, most importantly, his right forearm appears to be holding up to the strain of competitive tournament tennis, despite the wearing of a compression pack still being required.
Alcaraz has now compiled 13 consecutive wins at the Caja Magica, and there are few signs that run is going to come to an end any time soon.
