Carlos Alcaraz loses to Casper Ruud at Hurlingham
ATP
Carlos Alcaraz continued to struggle on the grass in Hurlingham, losing a match at the event in straight sets for the second time.
Alcaraz did not play any preparation events for this year's Wimbledon Championships due to elbow issues, and he was sporting heavy strapping on his elbow once more in Hurlingham.
He didn't play that well against Frances Tiafoe earlier in the week as he lost 4-6, 2-6 to the talented American player, and those struggles continued against Casper Ruud as well.
The Norwegian player isn't a big fan of the grass courts, as he famously said that grass is for playing golf. Still, he proved to be quite comfortable on the surface, certainly much more comfortable than his opponent at the Hurlingham Club.
In his first match at the event this year, Ruud lost to Zizou Bergs, and he looked much sharper in this match. He was helped by Alcaraz who was not that great overhitting balls on more than a few instances.
The first set was a very close one, as many matches on the grass courts. Since the courts play so fast and the ball bounces low, the rallies are often very short, benefitting the server and making the serve so much harder to break.
Ruud had three break points in the opening set of the match, but he couldn't use any of his chances, so the set had to be decided in a tie-break. The Norwegian player was better in the tie-break, winning it 7-2 to secure a one-set lead.
At the start of the second set, Ruud continued creating issues for Alcaraz, who was unable to find a solution, losing his serve already in the third game. From there, it was a rather straightforward cruise for the Norweigan, who comfortably added another break of serve to win the match 7-6(2), 6-2, and record a confidence-boosting win over Alcaraz.
