(Madrid) Carlos Alcaraz is cautiously managing his expectations ahead of the Madrid Masters, where he would be happy to play “three or four matches” upon his return from injury.
Alcaraz said on Tuesday that he had had good training in recent days, but did not want to confirm 100% his participation in the tournament in the Spanish capital, where he was crowned in the last two editions.
Third racket in the world, Alcaraz, who will try to win the French Open for the first time next month, is recovering from a right arm injury which prevented him from playing in the Monte Carlo and Barcelona tournaments.
This would be Alcaraz’s first clay court tournament in Europe this season. The 20-year-old tennis player has a bye in the first round and will face the winner of the match between Alexander Shevchenko and Arthur Rinderknech on Friday.
“For me, it’s really important to be 100% in this tournament,” Alcaraz said. Playing here is really special. This is the tournament where several members of my family can come to see me, several friends too. It’s really good to play in front of my people and my fans. »
Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime, 35e in the world, will launch his tournament Wednesday morning, against the Japanese Toshihito Nishioka, who is at 78e step.
Favorite, Jannik Sinner will launch his tournament against his Italian compatriot Lorenzo Sonego. Sinner never made it past the third round in Madrid, but he started the year with a 25-2 record and three titles, including the Australian Open.
“I don’t want to put pressure on myself,” Sinner said. I’m experiencing very positive moments, I’m winning a lot of matches. I’m just trying to continue this momentum. I know I have to continue to improve if I want to win more. »
Third seed, Daniil Medvedev will face either Christopher O’Connell or Matteo Arnaldi in his first duel. Medvedev, 9-5 this season, lost the finals in Melbourne and Indian Wells to Sinner and Alcaraz, respectively.
“I feel very good,” he assured, “I feel better and better every year when the clay court season arrives. »
Five-time champion in Madrid, Rafael Nadal, who continues his return from injury en route to Roland-Garros, will play his first clash against 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch.
Rus and Eala win
In the women’s first-round match, Arantxa Rus overcame a 0-4 deficit in the first set to defeat 17-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova 7-5, 6-3.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines came from behind to eliminate Lesia Tsurenko 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. This is a first victory for her in a WTA 1000 tournament, just as it is her first victory against a player from the top 50.
For her part, Tatjana Maria trailed 3-0 in the third set, but rallied to triumph over American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (5).
Another American lost when Sofia Kenin was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
reference: www.lapresse.ca