Carlos Alcaraz showcased his resilience and skill by defeating the seasoned Martin Cilic in the opening round of the ATP Qatar Open on Monday. Despite battling strong winds that initially threw him off his game, the 21-year-old Spaniard found his groove to secure a straight-sets victory of 6-4, 6-4.
Facing the 36-year-old Croatian veteran, Alcaraz exhibited his strength during crucial moments. The first set was decided in an intense 18-minute seventh game, where Alcaraz broke Cilic’s serve at a pivotal point.
In the second set, Alcaraz faced a daunting 40-0 deficit on his serve in the eighth game. Demonstrating incredible focus, he rallied by winning 15 of the next 19 points, ultimately sealing the match in just one hour and 38 minutes.
“I'm really pleased about saving that game,” Alcaraz said in his post-match on-court interview. “Marin puts a lot of pressure when you're serving, he's a great returner. I'm really happy to stay calm in that moment, do my routine and make good shots. I'm really happy to win in two sets.”
Looking ahead, Alcaraz is set to face either China's Zhang Zhizhen or Italy's Luca Nardi in the second round, promising more exciting tennis action for fans.
Reference(s):
Alcaraz beats Cilic in windswept opening round match at ATP Qatar Open
cgtn.com
