Carlos Alcaraz battles through Rotterdam opener but faces sharp critique and call for improvement from former world No 17 Nicolas Escude.
Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of tennis, faced a tough challenge in his Rotterdam Open debut. The 21-year-old Spaniard battled his way to a hard-fought victory over Botic van de Zandschulp, winning 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1 in the opening round of the ATP 500 event. This win also served as revenge for Alcaraz, who had suffered an upset loss to the Dutchman in the second round of last year’s US Open.
The match was a rollercoaster ride, with Alcaraz having to recover from a 3-5 deficit and save a set point to claim the opening set in a tiebreak. However, he couldn’t maintain his momentum and dropped the second set. Determined to turn the tide, Alcaraz showcased his resilience and broke van de Zandschulp twice in the third set, ultimately securing a well-deserved victory.
While Alcaraz’s triumph was commendable, former world No 17 Nicolas Escude had some strong words of critique for the young player. Speaking on Eurosport France, Escude highlighted several areas where Alcaraz needs improvement if he wants to make a deep run in the tournament. Escude emphasized that Alcaraz will have to correct his flaws quickly, as he will soon face high-level opponents in Rotterdam.
Escude pointed out Alcaraz’s forehand errors and static play as areas that require adjustment. He mentioned that Alcaraz used to be able to overpower his opponents with a single shot, but that ability seems to have diminished. Escude believes that Alcaraz is most effective when he is on the move, and suggested that he needs to regain his dynamism on the court.
Despite the criticism, Alcaraz remained positive and expressed his gratitude for the support he received in Rotterdam. Playing in the city for the first time, he acknowledged the crowd’s bias towards van de Zandschulp but was pleased to see Spanish fans in attendance as well. Alcaraz appreciated the experience and hoped to receive continued support in the upcoming rounds.
Reflecting on his opponent, Alcaraz praised van de Zandschulp’s skills and acknowledged the danger he poses on the court. He commended the Dutchman’s speed, shot-making ability, and physicality, highlighting the unpredictability of his game. Alcaraz, however, expressed confidence in his own abilities and stated that opponents like van de Zandschulp need to bring their best game to defeat him.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz will face Andrea Vavassori, a qualifier from Italy, in the second round. As he progresses in the tournament, Alcaraz will undoubtedly be looking to address the areas of improvement highlighted by Escude and showcase his potential as one of the brightest talents in the tennis world.
In conclusion, Carlos Alcaraz’s Rotterdam Open debut was marked by a hard-fought victory and constructive criticism from former player Nicolas Escude. While Alcaraz showcased his determination and resilience on the court, Escude pointed out areas where the young Spaniard needs to improve. As Alcaraz continues his journey in Rotterdam, all eyes will be on his progress and potential to become a future champion in the sport.
