(Paris) The young Spanish phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz, at the gates of the top 5 at 19 and already a title contender, made a solid entry into Roland-Garros by leaving only six games to the Argentinian Juan Ignacio Londero, 141and world and lucky loser, dominated 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 in the first round on Sunday.
Posted at 4:03 p.m.
For the first match of his young career on the Central court, and when he knows he is inevitably expected, Alcaraz won in 1 h 50 min by winning the last ten games of the game.
“It’s always special to play here, this tournament is one of the first I saw when I was little, it’s a pleasure to play here”, he appreciated at the microphone of Alex Corretja.
In a disputed first set, the young Spaniard was able to make the difference at the right time and on his only break opportunity, 5 games to 4, against an opponent who was not impressed by his status as a little prodigy.
And from 2 games everywhere in the second set, the young Spaniard did not miss a single game.
Among the satisfactions for Alcaraz, his management of important points: he did not have to face any break point, when he posted 100% success on his chances in the first two sets (6 out of 12 in total).
The apparent state of his ankle too, twisted at the beginning of May in Madrid and which he had then preserved by giving up playing in Rome the following week.
“He’s a great fighter and he had games behind him,” he said of his Argentinian opponent. It was good, I think, for the next match: it helps me find my rhythm and adapt to the court. »
In the second round, he will face Albert Ramos (42and) in a 100% Spanish duel.
In one year, Alcaraz has completely changed in dimension.
Twelve months ago, the child of El Palmar had won his place in the main draw of Roland-Garros through qualifying and had just entered the top 100.
He is having a hair-raising spring this year, which propelled him to the gates of the top 5: he won his first two trophies in the Masters 1000, in Miami at the start of April and in Madrid at the start of May. In the meantime, he has also established himself in Barcelona.
In the Spanish capital, the protege of Juan-Carlos Ferrero, ex-N. 1 in the world and winner of Roland-Garros in 2003, had a dream week beating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in quick succession. A first in the same tournament on ochre.