Carlos Alcaraz shifts grass expectations after reaching Queen’s quarter-finals
A
fter coming by a three-hour marathon in his opening spherical at Queen’s, Carlos Alcaraz joked he wanted the extended apply towards grass.
In distinction on Thursday he coasted into the quarter-finals of the Cinch Championships in lower than half that point to beat Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 6-3.
The Spaniard makes no secret of the truth that he’s a novice on grass, very like his countryman and idol Rafael Nadal was within the infancy of his profession.
But like Nadal, the No1 seed gave indications he may but be a champion on the floor such was the convenience with which he beat a participant ranked contained in the world’s prime 40 with a recreation well-suited the grass.
After spherical one, Alcaraz admitted he had no expectations on the grass, following the Lehecka win and forward of his first ever quarter-final on grass he stated that had shifted.
“Probably I’m going to change it,” he stated. “After this match, this level the expectations changed. I think I’m ready to do a good result on grass. This a really beautiful place to play. I’m enjoying every single second. I’ll go in with a lot of confidence and I’ll go for it.”
Lehecka had probabilities within the match – three break factors in all – however couldn’t convert any of them and struggled to win factors on his first serve along with his Spanish opponent’s defence impeccable.
In distinction, Alcaraz transformed three of 9 break factors throughout the 2 units for essentially the most snug of victories.
He stated: “I’m very happy with the level I played today. I think I had a really solid match. I feel really comfortable here on grass. I’m really happy getting experience on grass and getting hours and knowing I have this level.”