A test successfully passed. Very easy since the beginning of this US Open, Carlos Alcaraz needed a little adversity to finally pass the second in his tournament. And Dan Evans made his life difficult. Always so complicated to maneuver, the Briton offered a good resistance to the title holder, Saturday, in the 3rd round. The world No. 1 needed four sets to dismiss him (6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3), and 3:11 of play, to slip into the round of 16.
Even jostled, Alcaraz always retains this margin over his opponents which allows him to get out of complex situations when his tennis is not 100% settled. Saturday, he needed that to avoid prolonging the debates with Evans on the Arthur-Ashe court. He will play Italian Matteo Arnaldi, surprise winner of Cameron Norrie, for a place in the quarter-finals next Monday.
An incredible passing from Alcaraz which catches the line by a hair’s breadth
Evans was valiant
There were two matches in the game. The first lasted two sets and saw Alcaraz be the almost undisputed boss of this round of 16. Stronger from the baseline, the Spaniard, carried by his commitment, dictated the exchange and completely stifled the left-hander. Quickly down 4-0, Evans was far from knowing at the time that he was going to make life difficult for the winner of the last Wimbledon.
His rise to power began in the second set, but it really took shape in the third where the game of communicating vessels had its effect. Less well regulated, dropped by his forehand, the pupil of Juan Carlos Ferrero clearly dropped a tone, while Evans delivered what he had best in his technical panoply. Able to better return the opposing serve, while finding length on the counter, the 33-year-old has become “boring” to play. When he’s like that, things aren’t easy.
To win a point against Alcaraz, you have to win it 10 times
Alcaraz has chosen the offensive solution!
A little tactically disorderly, Alcaraz therefore lost the third act, before returning to the place in the 4th. After a hooked start, the Murcian found his salvation in the game forward, an exercise in which he excels. If plan A no longer works, plan B is always there to help out at home.
At 3-2 in his favor, he broke an Evans who began to have stiff legs. The many rallies proposed by the two players offered a sensational spectacle to the public of Arthur-Ashe and even offered a good atmosphere on the court. But they are the ones who get the better of the Birmingham player’s physique, which is not his great strength.
A crazy rally and a cushioning to finish: Alcaraz’s magnificent break against Evans
With 61 winning blows struck, Alcaraz made a just winner of this beautiful fight. Moreover, the two duelists gave little: Carlitos committed 23 unforced errors and Evans 24. Everything was played out elsewhere, in the desire to get this match. In this register, Alcaraz is currently untouchable.