PARIS | If there’s one thing Denis Shapovalov will take away from his loss to the clay-court player of the hour, Carlos Alcaraz, it’s that his left knee has been holding up for a week.
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Of course, the defeat conceded in three sets of 6-1, 6-4 and 6-2 at the hands of the Spaniard, Friday evening in the third round, did not rejoice the Canadian. But he found positive in this Roland-Garros, the longest of his career.
“It’s a miracle that I was able to play pain free for three games and I hope to wake up tomorrow [samedi] in the same condition, Shapovalov said at a press briefing. Honestly, that’s why I smiled, I was able to push my body to the limit.
“After the Madrid tournament [fin avril]I was told that I might be ready for Wimbledon [en juillet]so I’m happy to have been able to return to the game so quickly and without hurting,” said the man who is very excited about the grass season.
jolt
The logic was therefore respected, but the thousands of spectators who braved the spring cold of the French capital on the central Philippe-Chatrier would have liked the Canadian, ranked 32e in the world, takes away at least one round from the young Spaniard who has just celebrated his 20th birthday.
Shapovalov almost achieved the feat in the second set, leading 4-1, but that was without counting on the determination of the one who already has three crowns this season on clay. Alcaraz came from behind to save themselves with the sleeve. The 24-year-old Ontarian’s hopes were shattered and his rival quietly sailed to victory.
“I was in trouble, I made more mistakes in the second set than in the first, analyzed hot Alcaraz in an interview on the ground. You have to be strong mentally. I’m very happy with my level of play.”
Overwhelmed
Shapovalov struggled to keep pace with the favorite except for the opening minutes of the second set. Alcaraz dominated both downfield and in the net, winning the drop shot battle.
In spite of the numerous and surprising “Allez Denis” à la française,let’s go “Shapo”” or even colorful encouragement from Quebec coronations, the 26e seed has often been overwhelmed.
“I did not find answers to his game. [Carlos] is in great shape. He’s so fast, he attacks, he defends well, he’s really a complete player. It was difficult to constantly surprise him,” Shapovalov observed.
Whispers
For this first confrontation against the worthy successor of Rafael Nadal, Shapovalov quickly found that he was in great shape and that he ran all the balls. Everything the left-hander tried in the initial set didn’t work.
Alcaraz gave themselves a comfortable 5-0 lead and murmurs were heard in the stands, fans wanting to see a better show for this “night session” as they say in Paris.
Proud, “Shapo” replied by finally registering for the score. After winning the game in a tie, he raised both arms in the air in relief, which caused the audience to laugh. But Alcaraz didn’t miss his chance when he served for the set.
“His confidence is very similar to what Rafael Nadal has on clay,” Denis said. There’s not much you can do. His strikes touch on 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 hard to beat during this tournament.
▶ Carlos Alcaraz will face 21-year-old Italian Lorenzo Musetti, 17, in the round of 16e favourite, who fell for Briton Cameron Norrie, 14ein three sets of 6-1, 6-2 and 6-4.