MADRID, 4 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Carlos Alcaraz beat Rafa Nadal (3-6, 6-4, 14-12) this Sunday in ‘The Netflix Slam’ held in Las Vegas, a show with a Spanish accent at the Mandalay Bay Resort casino that left the comeback of the Murcia before a great version of the Balearic.
The American streaming platform achieved the show it wanted thanks to a duel of carats between the two Spanish tennis players. The legend vs the prodigy, with 12,000 spectators in the casino stadium and millions from their homes through Netflix.
An American spectacle that both Nadal and Alcaraz took seriously, showing that they are in shape after their latest physical mishaps ahead of the Indian Wells tournament, the first Masters 1,000 of the season that starts this Monday.
Nadal jumped into the attractive black court of Las Vegas and dominated with his forehand, making the Murcian run. Thus, the champion of 22 ‘greats’ broke from the beginning and achieved a cushion that he did not let slip (3-0). Alcaraz did not get close nor did he have a ‘break’ option, although there were quality points and exchanges.
The Murcian, who went from less to more, entered the second act more in tune and the break did not sit well with Nadal. Alcaraz broke his rival’s first serve and began leading the second set, saving a tight sixth game where Nadal had four break points. Without a doubt, Nadal went all out in Las Vegas and his victory was about performing at a good level with signature shots.
The one from Manacor, eager for tennis after a blank 2023 and a 2024 that started crooked in Brisbane, ended up breaking in the ninth game, but then lost the rest of the set (6-4), reaching a super tie-break to decide the winner. The exchange remained even but in the end Alcaraz completed his comeback despite the fact that Nadal saved two match points by raising the crowd.
The fourth match between the two went to El Palmar, which made it 2-2, although the two will want to meet again in the ATP Grand Slam finals, in a 2024 that has just started. Alcaraz, who two weeks ago suffered a sprain in his debut in Rio de Janeiro, aspires to return to the top, regain world number one and win tournaments as he last did at Wimbledon.
Meanwhile, the season is marked for Nadal who may be facing his last year as a professional. The man from Manacor returned to the courts in Brisbane, but an injury prevented him from being in the Australian Open. The Spaniard passed the test in Las Vegas, but the serious test will be Indian Wells, in search of rhythm, victories and good feelings with his body to enjoy on the slopes.