The psychological component, so damned in this matter of tennis, in everything really, provides a radically different scenario than ten months ago at the Foro Italico in Rome. This time, the one who is slowly falling apart is Fabian Marozsan, the boy who signed one of the great bells of last year, the surprise, when without having won a single match on the professional circuit until then and being 135th in the world, against all odds, he knocked down Carlos Alcaraz, installed at the top at that time. Now, in Indian Wells, the one who makes the rubber and ends up giving in is the Hungarian, who succumbs to an approach as basic as it is necessary. Very smart. Sometimes, it is enough to put them inside again and again to tip the balance. The Murcian applies it (double 6-3, in 1h 15m) and makes serious progress towards the quarterfinals of the tournament, where he will meet Alexander Zverev on Thursday (5-7, 6-2 and 6-3 against Alex de Miñaur) .
Alcaraz relies on the formula of temperance and the strategy to resolve a fight that was already treacherous, deceitful, dangerous, the kind that hides traps and that could have greatly penalized any false step. Hence the Spaniard prevails this time calm, calm and more calm. He is not interested in attacking with whips, but rather chewing up the rally and pausing in the face of the heads or tails proposal proposed by the opponent. He arrives at his best moment, on the verge of top-50, but that’s how things are: the Murcian serves cold revenge, braking every time he wants to accelerate. On this occasion, the necessary risks were counted; ball to the center, ball in until the rival gives in to boredom and lowers his guard; then yes, zasca! Break in the seventh game, a pass to seal the opening set and an open shot to put the tie to a victory that tastes like glory. Vendetta consummated.
In this way, Alcaraz obtains his 50th victory in the Masters 1000 – greater than Djokovic (48) at the same age -, in none as many as in Indian Wells; There are already 14, but he aspires to 17; If he reached the figure, he would raise the trophy again, but Juan Carlos Ferrero is there to keep those feet from leaving the ground. As I said, calm and stillness, he played. So here is a serious and reliable Carlitos, extremely balanced: 22 winning shots for 17 errors, compared to the 11 and 23 presented by the Hungarian, surely confused because he could foresee a more direct and temperamental, more tangled clash, but nothing of that . Just virguerías, a straight line from start to finish. Not a concession and, once again, a great level from the Murcian, in line with the one exhibited two days ago against the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime. From time to time, this more formal version can be the ideal complement to that other unruly tennis player. That’s it.
“Honestly, I was nervous before the game, I’m not going to lie. I remember that I had no opportunities in Rome,” admits Alcaraz, surpassed only in the record of victories in the thousand at his age by Rafael Nadal, who before turning 21 already registered 82. “Playing with someone who has beaten you easily is not easy, so it has been difficult for me to face this match, but I am very happy with how I have done . I have started very well, imposing my style from the beginning. I can always play better, but I would say it’s been almost perfect. “My confidence is increasing,” appreciates the one from El Palmar, who is very solid in service — he has not delivered in the first three commitments this week; 82% with firsts this time—and also accurate in defense—two negatives in as many break options for Marozsan. In an ascending line and in accordance with the demands of the script, he once again sends hopeful signals.
“I have moved very well and I have controlled the complicated moments,” he adds. “I think the conditions here suit my game very well. I feel very comfortable on the court and also outside, in the tournament. The last three years (semi-final and previous title) I have played great here, I feel extra confidence”, resolves the number two, who now sees a major obstacle and, at the same time, another pending account: Zverev. The giant from Hamburg rules in the crosses (5-3) and got out of the last Australian Open; double incentive, then, for the stimulating fight for a place in the semifinals.
ARABIA OFFERS 1.9 BILLION TO MERGE ATP AND WTA, ACCORDING TO ‘THE TELEGRAPH’
Saudi Arabia has offered 2,000 million dollars (about 1,900 euros) for the merger of the men’s circuit (ATP) and the women’s circuit (WTA), according to the newspaper. The Telegraph. The aforementioned media assures that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) – owner of the LIV golf circuit, among other businesses – proposes equalizing the prizes for men and women, and that the organization of a Masters 1000 at the beginning of the season would be guaranteed. The proposal, the newspaper emphasizes, would be valid for 90 days; that is, until June 7.
According to The Telegraph, the president of the ATP, the Italian Andrea Gaudenzi, has acted as an intermediary between both parties in Indian Wells; Specifically, last Saturday he conveyed the offer to the representatives of the nine Masters 1000 and the four Grand Slams. It should be remembered that recently, the organization he directs and the Public Investment Fund of the Asian country announced a “strategic” sponsorship agreement that was closed in January, during a visit by Gaudenzi to Riyadh.
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 para rendir al húngaro, su verdugo el curso pasado en Roma, y se reta con Zverev en los cuartos){kind=link}