Alcaraz begins Madrid Open title defence with a hard-fought win

• Carlos Alcaraz, who is the defending Madrid Open champion, had a slow start last evening as he faced world No. 41 Emil Ruusuvuori
• As Carlos found it hard to keep up with Ruusuvuori in the first set, he showed his frustrations by throwing his racket to the ground

Carlos Alcaraz, who is the defending Madrid Open champion, had a slow start last evening as he faced world No. 41 Emil Ruusuvuori.

Alcaraz showed all his grit to mount a 2-6 6-4 6-2 comeback against Emil and book a spot in the third round where 26th seed Grigor Dimitrov is awaiting. Grigor reached the third round after beating Frenchman Gregoire Barrere 7-6(6) 7-6(2).

Carlos Alcaraz. Photo/ Yardbarker.com.

Speaking after his victory against Ruusuvuori, Alcaraz said it was a really tough match. However, his good attitude throughout the match helped him seal the comeback against a tough opponent.

“It was really tough. I’m really happy I was able to save that game and be able to come back. It was really tough. Emil is playing unbelievable. I’m just really happy to be able to get through that. My serving game at 3-3 in the second set I thought ‘this is my chance, this is my moment’. I tried to take that. I was really focused. I was trying to put everything into it. I would say with a good attitude in the whole match I was able to come back.” Eurosport quotes Carlos Alcaraz.

How The Game Unfolded

Emil Ruusuvuori got off to a confident start in front of a boisterous Spanish crowd. His service return proved particularly effective with Carlos Alcaraz making an uncharacteristic amount of unforced errors.

The Finn broke for the first time and took a 3-1 lead after Carlos ripped a forehand into the net. He won all 11 points on his first serve and sealed the opening set on Carlos’ serve. Ruusuvuori won the first set after 36 minutes of play when Carlos hit a backhand into the net for his 15th unforced error.

As Carlos found it hard to keep up with Ruusuvuori in the first set, he showed his frustrations by throwing his racket to the ground. This was a rare expression of frustration by the world No. 1 who was just starting his title defence of the Madrid Open.

Ruusuvuori continued to look more dangerous as the second set began. Carlos’ continued to look more frustrated but he eventually took control of the game after his opponent squandered five break points at 3-2 up. The Spaniard did just enough to hold serve after an epic 14-minute game.

Carlos Alcaraz got his first break points of the match in the next game, letting out a loud roar after converting the second one. He forced Ruusuvuori into hitting a cross-court backhand wide before comfortably taking the second set and forcing a decider.

On the third set, momentum was with Carlos Alcaraz with the crowd also roaring him. Within no time, the world No. 1 had taken a 4-1 lead against Ruusuvuori. He then delivered the winning hit on his own serve.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Emil Ruusuvuori 2-6 6-4 6-2. Photo/ Outlook India.

Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov will lock horns for the second time, with the Spaniard winning their first encounter last year.