Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates winning a match against Roman Safiullin, of Russia. (AP Photo)
NEW YORK CITY: For two hours and 21-minutes on Arthur Ashe, Carlos Alcaraz’s game answered the big question that had accompanied his much-anticipated return to tennis. The 23-year-old Spaniard, playing his first match in 139 days after a wrist injury in mid-April, faced Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the US Open. He pummelled the ball, pulled off impossible gets and picked up shots off his shoelaces, turning defence into delicate winners on his way to a convincing 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win. In a match of small margins, where Alcaraz, it appeared was doing just enough, he hit 28 winners, 20 of them off the forehand. The 23-year-old converted four of the seven break points he earned, a difference that proved decisive. Alcaraz, who enjoys amping up the speed upwards of 130 mph, hit a top speed of 128 in the first-round match. The average speed on his first and second serves was 113 and 97 respectively.
I’m going to still take care of it, obviously, I’m just really happy it’s pain-free finally,” he told international media. Alcaraz opened his final service game with a volley winner, caressed inches above the ground, then turned to the crowd, calling for some love, hand on his ear. The spectators roared and Alcaraz’ smile sparked the sun. “I felt great. I don’t know how it looked from outside, but from inside, my feeling was that I was hitting the ball normal. I was playing pretty normal, playing my style, and the wrist felt great. He faced six breakpoints, with Safiullin converting just one. The second seed teed off on his returns, but was more controlled with his serve.
Really, really nervous, but also just happy, because, for me, my goal here is to compete, to enjoy, and let’s see how my body’s going to react after the matches.”
“It was a difficult day for me, but at the same time, a really beautiful day,” he said. “I was really nervous.