Alcaraz 'Wasn't Worried At All' Of Korda Test After Reaching Second Week Of Roland Garros

Saturday, 01 June 2024 at 16:05

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byNurein Ahmed

Carlos Alcaraz navigated his first test of this year's Roland Garros with flying colors to advance into the second week for the third year in a row.

Alcaraz entered this year's clay-court Grand Slam without ideal preparation. He only played one warm-up tournament in Madrid, where he lost to eventual champion Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinal stage.

A forearm injury has kept him out of key tournaments like Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Rome. But his lack of game time has not derailed Alcaraz's French Open campaign so far, even though he came under the sternest examination against Sebastian Korda.

The tall American was the first seeded opponent that Alcaraz faced in his section of the draw. And because he had beaten the Spaniard on a clay court in the past, he was expected to push him all the way in Friday's night session.

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But the two-time Grand Slam champion quelled the challenge in style, hitting 38 winners to 27 unforced errors. Korda, by contrast, tallied 20 winners and 40 unforced errors.

Despite the 27th seed aiming into the match with a reputation as a big server and an efficient shotmaker, he was limited to one ace and only won 26 receiving points.

Speaking in his on-court interview, Alcaraz praised Korda's qualities and stated that he was not "worried" about the match, contrary to pre-match suggestions that he was going to encounter some speed bumps along the way.

"Not really (on whether he was worried). I know my skills. Obviously, Sebastian (Korda) is a great player. A really good ball striker. He hits the ball really clean. It’s difficult to play him. It was like a marathon for me. I had to run side to side a lot. I wasn’t worried at all. I know what I’m capable of, my skills. I know it’s really difficult for him as well."

Alcaraz will face Felix Auger-Aliassime next. The World No. 3 has reached at least the quarterfinal in each of his last two main draw appearances at Roland Garros.