Carlos Alcaraz has provided an replace on his forearm damage forward of his rematch with Jan-Lennard Struff in Madrid. The world No. 3 beat the German in final 12 months’s ultimate and Struff might be seeking to avenge his loss. Alcaraz has solely performed two matches on the clay to this point this 12 months after the bodily challenge compelled him to skip two tournaments.
Alcaraz superior to the final 16 in Madrid with a 6-3 6-3 win over Thiago Seyboth Wild on Sunday. He’ll now face Struff, the person he beat 12 months in the past to raise his second successive title on the event.
However the 20-year-old has not been capable of put together as nicely for the Madrid Open this 12 months after a proper forearm damage derailed his begin to the clay swing. Alcaraz missed each the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open. Within the final two years, he has received the title in Barcelona earlier than coming to Madrid and accumulating the trophy.
After getting two matches on the floor, the world No. 3 provided an replace on his damage as he revealed that he was feeling good however his sport was nonetheless partially affected. “Nicely, I believe I am in a fine condition proper now,” the two-time Madrid Open champion stated.
“I am not feeling something within the forearm, and I performed good tennis.” Whereas Alcaraz’s forehand was nonetheless affected, he confirmed that he was not feeling any ache.
The Spaniard continued: “-Clearly I am not hitting my forehand on my 100 per cent, to illustrate, or in the best way that I used to hitting, you understand, earlier than feeling one thing within the forearm, however I am simply targeted to hitting the forehand as a lot relaxed as I can and going, you understand, in entrance, to illustrate.
“I am actually pleased with the issues that I am doing within the forearm. I am actually glad to be aggressive with out ache, however I am nonetheless targeted day by day in that.”
Alcaraz additionally addressed his upcoming showdown with Struff. The world No. 24 got here into Madrid filled with confidence after successful his maiden tour title in Munich final week and Alcaraz desires to make him really feel “uncomfortable”.
“I do know Struff’s degree, his sport. It is a little bit uncomfortable, serve and volley and good baseline photographs, I do know it is not going to be straightforward,” Alcaraz defined. “I do know that at this degree I can do nice issues even when it is not the precedence in my head. At this degree I will give myself alternatives to win the sport, to have choices. I’ve to play at a great degree, make him really feel uncomfortable and see how the sport goes.”