PARIS | If there’s one thing Denis Shapovalov can take away from his loss to clay-court player of the moment Carlos Alcaraz, it’s that his left knee has been going for a week.
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Of course, the Canadian was not happy about the setback that the Spaniard suffered on Friday evening in the third round in three sets with 6:1, 6:4 and 6:2. But he found this Roland-Garros, the longest of his career, positive.
“It’s a miracle I’ve been able to play three games pain free and I hope to wake up tomorrow.” [samedi] I’m in the same condition, Shapovalov said at a press conference. Honestly that’s why I smiled, I could push my body to the limit.
“After the Madrid tournament [fin avril]I was told that maybe I could be ready for Wimbledon [en juillet]”So I’m happy that I was able to return to the game so quickly and without injury,” said the man, who is really looking forward to the grass season.
shock
So the logic was respected, but the thousands of spectators who braved the French capital’s spring cold on the central Philippe-Chatrier would have wished the Canadian, ranked 32 in the world, the young Spaniard who is coming, at least would have lost a lap to barely celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Shapovalov almost did the feat in the second set to lead 4-1, but he hadn’t counted on the determination of the one who has already won three crowns on clay this season. Alcaraz came from behind to save himself with his sleeve. The 24-year-old Ontario’s hopes were dashed and his rival calmly sailed to victory.
“I was in trouble, I made more mistakes in the second set than in the first,” analyzed the hot Alcaraz in an interview on the ground. You have to be mentally strong. I’m very happy with my level of play.
Overwhelmed
Except for the first minutes of the second set, Shapovalov struggled to keep up with the favorite. Alcaraz dominated both the field and the net, winning the drop shot fight.
Despite numerous and surprising French “Allez Denis”, “Let’s go “Shapo”” or even colorful encouragement from the Quebec crowns, the number 26 has often been overwhelmed.
“I haven’t found any answers on his game. [Carlos] is in great condition. He’s so fast, he attacks, he defends well, he’s really a complete player. It was difficult to keep surprising him,” Shapovalov noted.
to whisper
For this first confrontation with Rafael Nadal’s worthy successor, Shapovalov quickly established that he was in top form and running all the balls. Everything the left-hander tried in the first set didn’t work.
Alcaraz took a comfortable 5-0 lead and murmurs could be heard in the stands that the fans wanted a better show for this ‘night session’, as they say in Paris.
“Shapo” proudly replied by finally signing up for the score. After winning the game with a draw, he raised both arms in the air in relief, causing the crowd to laugh. But Alcaraz didn’t miss his chance when he served the set.
“His confidence is very similar to that of Rafael Nadal on clay,” said Denis. There isn’t much you can do. His punches touch the lines. This evening [vendredi], he was too good. I tried everything, gave everything. I tried to vary the game but he adapted to everything. He will be very difficult to beat in this tournament.
▶ Carlos Alcaraz meets 21-year-old Italian Lorenzo Musetti, 17th favorite, in the round of 16, who defeated Britain’s Cameron Norrie, 14th, in three sets 6-1, 6-2 and 6-4.