Carlos Alcaraz had had time to win two major titles and become the youngest No. 1 in world history before winning his first game in Canada. But now it’s done: The 20-year-old Spaniard celebrated a successful comeback at the National Bank Open on Wednesday and defeated the American Ben Shelton 6: 3 and 7: 6 (3) in the second round.
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At the same time, “Carlitos” secured his 13th straight win, having won back-to-back titles on the Queen’s and Wimbledon lawns before making his first career appearance in Toronto.
The spectacular prodigy didn’t even have to be spectacular to defeat Shelton, who is also 20 and also capable of a few magical shots from his racquet but who did it at the peak of his 41st in the world not necessarily managed weapons to compete with Alcaraz in important moments
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But Alcaraz still delighted Toronto viewers who came in large numbers to his show. Especially at that point where, despite appearing to be handcuffed near the net, he made a half turn over himself to return the ball not far from the baseline.
The Spaniard now meets number 15 seeded Pole Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday at 7 p.m.
heads fall
Second seed and champion in Toronto two years ago, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev also made a successful comeback, defeating Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in the first round, Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi, 66th in the world, 6-2, 7-5.
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But other big minds will have more time to visit the CN Tower.
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, fourth favorite, stumbled at the start in front of France’s Gaël Monfils (6-4 and 6-3), while Russia’s Andrey Rublev, sixth, was cornered by American Mackenzie McDonald (6-3). 4 and 6-3). The next opponent is Canadian Milos Raonic.