Behind the scenes, the international tennis associations ATP, WTA and ITF are conducting heated debates about possible new formats or changes in the tournament calendar. It is about a possible increase in the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (currently there are nine with a prospect of ten or even twelve) and at the same time a reduction in the four majors. The men’s best-of-5 mode is no longer untouchable, but for many aces here at the French Open in Paris it is something of a “survival elixir”.
If they had already switched to best of 3 here in Roland Garros, a number of well-known protagonists would already be on their way home. Carlos Alcaraz, in view of Rafael Nadal’s injury history the not-so-secret top favorite for the title, was about to be eliminated in the second round. “You’ll see, he’ll still win it,” assured Alexander Zverev (D) when he was confronted with the interim result of the Spaniard’s match in the botanical garden at the press conference.
Alcaraz was already behind 6: 1, 6: 7 (7), 5: 7 and 4: 5 against the great 34-year-old Albert Ramos Vinolas (Esp). The outsider (ATP No. 44) missed a match point and had to admit defeat in five sets after 4:38 hours.
“I’m so happy”
“It was incredibly close. I had to get everything out of myself against a fantastic opponent. I’m overjoyed that I was able to turn the tide,” admitted Alcaraz, who arrived with tournament victories in Miami, Barcelona and Madrid. Perhaps the gigantic self-confidence and belief in his strengths and abilities gave the 19-year-old rising star wings.
Olympic champion Zverev, who is still waiting for his first major title, was also operating in a “parallel universe”, if you will. In his match against the up-and-coming Argentinian Sebastian Baez (21), the German also had to fend off a match point and first get going after being two sets behind. The final score? 2:6, 4:6, 6:1, 6:2, 7:5.
“There are days like that when it doesn’t work. Then you have to fight, think about what you can change. I was the happier one,” said the 25-year-old, third in the world rankings, who lost a 2-0 lead against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final. This best-of-5 mode has its own laws. A match isn’t over until it’s over.
Speaking of Thiem: His first-round conqueror on the Bois de Boulogne did not jump the second hurdle. The Bolivian Hugo Dellien lost to the Russian Karen Khachanov 6:4, 4:6, 6:7 (1), 3:6. The Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, seeded number nine, stands for this in the sixteenth final.
On the way there, his opening single almost ended in his undoing. The Peruvian qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas broke away after a 2-0 set lead. As a master of catching up, Stefanos Tsitsipas also had to present himself in a breathtaking night session on the Philippe Chatrier court. The Greek, who is fourth in the ATP ranking, defeated Lorenzo Musetti (Ita) 5: 7, 4: 6, 6: 2, 6: 3, 6: 2.
Nadal’s impressive record
Oui, oui, there are many potential stumbling blocks on the way to the longing terminus. Seven matches within two weeks must be won to win such a Grand Slam title. Alcaraz, Zverev, Tsitsipas and Auger-Aliassime’s difficulties put the ‘King of Paris’ Rafael Nadal in an even more glaring light. The almost 36-year-old Spaniard has triumphed 13 times at the French Open and has an impressive individual record of 107:3 victories.
The number five in the world has not lost a set in the current tournament despite chronic foot problems and after a six-week break due to a fatigue fracture in the rib area. “There is still a lot to improve in my game. I wouldn’t say it’s perfect,” emphasized Nadal after the 6: 3, 6: 1, 6: 4 against French local hero Corentin Moutet in round two.
Mr. Rune is quite cheeky
It is quite possible that the 13 titles in Roland Garros will be a record for eternity. Alcaraz is believed to be capable of such an achievement at the age of 19, but you have to win a major event before you can think about such dimensions. An optimistic approach doesn’t hurt in principle, that of Holger Rune (19) was pretty cheeky.
“I dare to do it,” the Dane trumpeted when he was just 17. So far, the world number 40. at least talk deeds in Paris. Rune did not show any weaknesses against the Swiss Henri Laaksonen – 6: 2, 6: 3, 6: 3. In his opening single, the Scandinavian denied Denis Shapovalov (Can), who had beaten Nadal in Rome.
The young man is to be expected. Always with Novak Djokovic, of course. The defending champion is also in round three without losing a set. The 21st Grand Slam title that would see the Serb catch up with “King” Nadal is within the realm of possibility.
Source: Nachrichten
