ELast October 10, Carlos Alcaraz falls in three sets to a former world number one, Andy Murrayin their first duel in the main draw of Indian Wells, the first Masters 1000 of the season, which had been postponed in March due to covid.
Five months later, the tennis player from El Palmar has given a good account of the American Mackenzie McDonaldnumber 59 in the ATP and unprecedented rival in his career, for a double 6-3 in an hour and 35 minutes of playadvancing to the third round.
Alcaraz, who he had not played since his victory in Ro de Janeirowhere he added the first ATP 500 of his career, was especially effective to the rest, scoring 51% of the points with McDonald serving.
The duel began with an exchange of breaks but the more solid Spanish tennis player broke his rival’s serve again in the fifth game to close the initial sleeve with his serve and at the second opportunity.
The second set had a more elaborate script because McDonald got to 2-3 in his favor and served before giving up four games in a row to the voracity of the world number 19, who at 18 seems to have no limits.
His opponent in the third round will be Robert Baptistwho had a really bad time to impose himself on the also American Jeffrey John Wolf by 6-3, 6-7(3) and 7-6(5).
Bautista had to save two match balls against the number 209 in the worldwho came from the previous one but had defeated Sonego in Acapulco three weeks ago, warning that he would not be an easy prey.
