2024-06-19 03:01:00
The Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo couldn’t this Tuesday in opposition to the Spanish Carlos Alcarazquantity two on the planet, and mentioned goodbye within the first spherical of the ATP 500 in Queen’s, Englanda contest that serves as a prelude to Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the 12 months that can begin on July 1.
The victory was overwhelming for the final Roland Garros champion: 6-1 and 7-5 in only one hour and 22 minutes on the grass the place he defends the title he gained final 12 months.
This was the primary confrontation between Cerúndolo (twenty sixth) and Alcaraz, mates for a very long time, as professionals. After coaching collectively on Sunday for greater than two hours, Alcaraz got here out in brutal style at Queen’s and gained the primary set in half-hour, through which gained 21 of the primary 27 factors.
The beginning was overwhelming however after a clear half hour with just one unforced error, Alcaraz lowered his stage in the beginning of the second set and allowed Cerúndoloin his first ball breakgrabbed a bonus that took it to 5-2.
The porteño had three balls to take the second set and tie the match at 5-4 however Alcaraz saved all three with the serve, one with an error by Cerúndolo, one other with a direct serve and the third with a physique serve.
Misplaced alternatives sentenced Cerúndolo, who from 2-5 didn’t win a single recreation once more. Alcaraz regrouped within the remaining stretch and achieved his first victory on grass of the season.
“The primary set was a bit unreal. He made numerous errors, I could not get into the rhythm, then he began to play higher, longer rallies, he received into the sport. I used to be shocked, I attempted to remain there, discover my rhythm and I achieved it ultimately,” mentioned the Murcian after the victory.
Alcaraz will likely be measured within the spherical of 16 with the English Jack Drapper (thirty first), winner of the Argentine Mariano Navone (twenty ninth). The very best English racket within the rating, who had simply gained in Stuttgart, gained 6-3 and 6-2 in opposition to the Buenos Aires participant 9 de Julio, who’s having a spectacular first 12 months on the ATP circuit.
As if to finish a horrible day for the Argentines, the Buenos Aires native was additionally eradicated Sebastián Báez (nineteenth)in straight units in opposition to the American Tommy Paul (thirteenth) 6-4 and 6-4, and the participant from La Plata Tomás Etcheverry (thirty second), defeated by native Billy Harris (162nd) by 6-4, 3-6 and 6-4.
For Baez The defeat suffered in a single hour and 36 minutes meant a deepening within the downturn that’s going by means of after his nice begin to the 12 months, when he gained in Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile and gave the Davis Cup crew the victory to qualify for the Finals. Since then, the one born in San Martín and the perfect Argentine within the rating right now, has 9 defeats in 16 video games and has not gone greater than three appearances in any of the final 9 tournaments he performed.