Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev confronted one another within the first semi-final of the ATP 500 in Beijing. The younger Spanish champion confirmed his predictions of the day earlier than and defeated the Russian ace in two units, beating him for the third time this 12 months after triumphs within the remaining of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 and within the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Championships.
The previous world #1 shall be on the hunt for its fourth title in 2024 after the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships and the Indian Wells Masters 1000. The 21-year-old from Murcia has already improved on final 12 months’s end result, when he stopped within the semi-finals in opposition to Italian ace Jannik Sinner within the Chinese language capital.
The primary set was very balanced, with Medvedev who has recovered twice a break from drawback however did not deliver the set to the tiebreak. The 4-time Grand Slam champion raised his degree within the second set and prevailed with out an excessive amount of effort, proving to have weapons that put the 2021 US Open champion in nice problem.
A humorous episode
Carlitos has collected 25 winners and solely 14 unforced errors, whereas Daniil has dedicated 15 unforced errors in opposition to 17 winners. Alcaraz performed very nicely close to the online, the place he scored 8 factors out of 11 appearances. The sensation is that Carlos has discovered his finest tennis once more and is prepared for an awesome season finale. Medvedev – then again – performed a very good first set earlier than dropping, additionally as a result of a leg downside. Throughout the match between Alcaraz and Medvedev, followers witnessed a really humorous episode between the 2 gamers. After being hit by a really violent forehand from the Spanish ace, the Russian champion had a really humorous response.
Oscar goes to… @DaniilMedwed
[wait for the slo mo 😆]#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/jtRcJEutwR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 1, 2024
Carlitos’ 2024 season is really superb. The brand new World No.1 confronted a High 5 participant eight occasions this 12 months, with an incredible report of seven wins and just one loss. His solely loss was in opposition to Novak Djokovic within the remaining of the Paris Olympics. “I believe we each began the match fairly nicely,” stated Alcaraz after the match.
“It was slightly bit uncommon, with serve being damaged many occasions within the first set. I broke his serve for 3-2 after which within the subsequent recreation, I don’t know what occurred to me. I most likely misplaced focus slightly bit, missed a couple of first serves that in opposition to Daniil on a tough court docket, is a extremely essential weapon. It’s important to put good first serves in to place your self within the place to assault.
I’m actually completely happy that I didn’t lose my focus too lengthy within the first set. I recovered it as quickly as I acquired damaged, and I’m actually completely happy that on the finish of the set I used to be in a position to play actually good tennis within the return recreation after which serving at 6-5. I did a extremely good recreation. After that, as soon as you’re one arrange, it’s slightly bit simpler, taking part in in opposition to Daniil with extra confidence.”
The Spaniard performed an awesome match: “Generally you assume, ‘OK, it’s executed’, nevertheless it’s not executed. It’s important to preserve combating. It’s important to preserve taking part in the identical method that you just had been taking part in earlier than and simply overlook in regards to the opponent. You need to deal with your self and your tennis, in order that’s what I attempted to do. I used to be nonetheless taking part in the identical method I had performed till that time within the match. I didn’t lose the main target in that second, so I’m actually completely happy that I saved pushing.” The ambiance of the Davis Cup and the Laver Cup was excellent for the Spaniard, who discovered his finest emotions after the unhealthy ends in the American tournaments.
Recommendation for the longer term
In a latest interview, prime coach Patrick Mouratoglou gave Alcaraz some recommendation for the longer term: “He was exhausted in New York, mentally exhausted. I’m not stunned that he’s saying that he had so many ideas and so many feelings that he couldn’t take care of. That’s precisely the consequence of somebody who’s emotionally drained. In case you are not contemporary within the thoughts, it’s increasingly more troublesome to do it.
He’s very, very emotional. We’ve seen him cramp many occasions already. If you happen to have a look at Roger, Rafa, and Novak, have you ever seen them cramp as soon as in a match? All their careers? He cramped many occasions already, solely at 20. He’s an emotional participant. So I believe that figuring out that, sooner or later, they should consider a calendar the place he has sufficient relaxation – psychological relaxation, not bodily relaxation. Psychological relaxation. I believe it is rather essential for his future.”
