Tennis
Alcaraz failed to make his debut as world number one at the ATP tournament and lost his unique streak
The new world number one, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, has had a big disappointment. For the first time he presented himself at the ATP tournament as the best player in the world, but after a poor performance he failed to advance to the second round. Moreover, he lost an exceptional streak.
The new world number one, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, has had a big disappointment. For the first time he presented himself at the ATP tournament as the best player in the world, but after a poor performance he failed to advance to the second round. Moreover, he lost an exceptional streak.
At the Astana tournament, Alcaraz was supposed to confirm his form and be one of the favourites of the whole event. He arrived in Kazakhstan with an amazing 52-10 record. Moreover, he had recently managed to win his first career Grand Slam on a hard surface when he dominated the US Open and was crowned the youngest ever world number one after this tournament.
The leader of the rankings was up against a weaker opponent on paper, Belgian David Goffin. The former world number seven has completely cleared the field in recent years and has struggled in the current season. Moreover, he entered the competition only as a “lucky loser” for the injured Dane Rune.
Alcaraz did not do well from the beginning of the match, making 34 unforced errors in the match. He had to make up for a 2-5 deficit in the first set, but failed to do so and Goffin won the first set 7-5 after a very focused performance.
The Belgian continued his very good performance in the second set as he built up a comfortable 5-1 lead, which the young Spaniard could not respond to and Goffin scored his third career scalp of the world number one.
In 2017 and 2020, he defeated former world number one Rafael Nadal. With the loss, Alcaraz lost a unique streak. In all his matches so far this season, he has managed to win at least one set.
Alcaraz thanked all the fans on social media after the match, saying that the season is still going on and he is not making anything out of one unlucky loss.
Sources: ATP, Twitter