The Puente Romano Club in Marbella this Thursday was the scene of an intergenerational meeting that was experienced as a party by the 500 spectators who witnessed it live, with masks and social distance. Carlos Alcaraz placeholder image, great Spanish promise of 17 years, against Feliciano lopez, historical of the Navy, of 39, which still has rope for a while. In his first date, the impudence of the Murcian was imposed on the fine classic tennis of Toledo: 4-6, 6-2 and 6-4. For the first time he reaches the quarterfinals in an ATP tournament and does so in his country before an audience devoted to his appeal. He will face the Danish Casper Ruud, who swept the Italian Gianluca Mager (6-3 and 6-2). “I grow up at home, it is a pleasure to play in front of your people and know that they enjoy it. It is something that I will always use to my advantage,” he explained.
The game did not disappoint, quality shots were seen, and they did not come only from Feli's racket, who did a lot of damage with that cut backhand that flies so low. Alcaraz showed a very good hand as well as energy and enthusiasm, and he was not far behind when the duel went to the field of the class, regardless of power. López, a great punch, ran into the shape of his shoe. The boy endorsed seven aces for the four that he managed to score. Sorry for the sacrilege, but Rafa Nadal himself would have liked to have that service at 17 years old. “I put a lot of emphasis on improving my serve, I give myself more time before doing it to concentrate and think about how to do it well,” he says.
Charly showed personality to lift a game that had been uphill after starting it very well with a break and his subsequent consolidation (3-1). But Feliciano didn't want the boy to step over him and squeezed. He added two breaks and took advantage. The second set started badly for him again, and on this occasion, although he had a 0-40 to equal two, he did not take advantage of it and the meeting, increasingly intense and entertaining, leveled off.
Posh victory
The third set was broken after the 2-2 with a new break for Alcaraz, who held on to the track, more than his rival who did not let go, and resisted to score a posh victory against a great player who professes a sincere admiration and speaks well of him whenever he can. In fact, he has invited him to the Mutua Madrid Open, although there he will not have to suffer as an opponent.
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