There was almost a huge sensation at Roland-Garros: the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, seeded number 6 in the tournament and huge outsider of the fortnight, was almost eliminated this Wednesday in the second round. The 19-year-old came close to the big gadin on the Simonne-Mathieu court against his compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas (N°44). Alcaraz won in 5 sets 6-1, 6-7, 5-7, 7-6, 6-4.
On the court of the Auteuil greenhouses, however, there was nothing to worry about at the start for the young Spanish sensation. He started his tournament on Sunday like a rocket and nothing indicated any danger, not even the ranking of his opponent. The first round confirmed this feeling: Alcaraz crunched his compatriot 6-1. The beautiful mechanics then jammed. Or else, Ramos-Vinolas has found the right formula to hinder his younger brother.
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After being upgraded in the initial set, Ramos-Vinolas could, however, have sunk. On the contrary, he won the second in the tie-break. Ditto in the third (7-5). It was starting to really feel the scorch for Alcaraz, visibly very worried and unable to find the fault in the face of this other “earthling” catchy on all points. Never thereafter Ramos-Vinolas lowered his guard. He looked his young adversary in the eye. Alcaraz even sometimes found himself on the street, even having to save a match point in the 4th set, on his opponent’s service. Incredible ! Fortunately for him, the world number 6 got away with winning the 5th and final set 6-4.
The seeded players are definitely not at the party on clay. If Djokovic went through without a hitch, Alexander Zverev (N°3) had to work for 5 sets to dismiss the Argentinian Sebastian Baez (2-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 7-5) .