The fans are driving Alcaraz to defend himself. Can the Bulgarian Dimitrov even threaten him?

Carlos Alcaraz remains the top contender for the title at the Madrid Open. Last week he dominated the tournament in Barcelona without losing a set, where he defended his triumph last year. He has a similar goal in the Spanish capital. In the more difficult conditions of a well-attended event.

A year ago, Carlos Alcaraz became the only player in history to beat both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on clay in the same tournament. Last year’s event was finally dominated. These two tennis greats are missing this year due to health reasons. But there is no shortage of excellent tennis players.

Support from the stands

The home tennis player enjoys a huge popularity among the fans in Madrid and this definitely adds to his game. Which was already needed against Emil Ruusuvuori. Already in this match Alcaraz had to fight hard to advance. He broke his Finnish opponent only in the second set, having lost the first.

“During the difficult moments, they transmitted positive energy to me. Without them, the match would have been doubly difficult for me and I might not have been able to bring it to a victorious end,” he thanked the fans remotely after the match against the Finn in an interview with the tournament’s official website. The crowd was always behind Alcaraz here. And that affection continues to grow.

Other opponents

The 19-year-old’s form this year, especially on clay, has played in his favour. He has lost only one of his fifteen matches on this surface. The aforementioned defeat was against the British Norrie. He may meet him in the final at the event in the Spanish capital, but we are getting ahead of ourselves.

His upcoming opponent, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, is a very experienced player. In his previous match in Madrid, he was able to rely on his serve. He served ten aces to the Frenchman Barrere and won almost 90% of the balls after his first serve.

However, clay is not his favourite tennis element and he usually loses to world top ten players. This year he has succumbed to Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Italo Sinner and Greco Tsitsipas.

He lost to Alcaraz last year and the Spaniard gave the native of southern Bulgaria no chance, winning 6-1, 6-3. And he wasn’t even on clay on home soil.

In the surroundings of the Madrid Masters, which he so appreciates, Alcaraz can enjoy an amazing tournament. Let’s see how difficult the 31-year-old Bulgarian will put obstacles in his way. The delicacy of today’s tennis menu is on the schedule from 20::00.

Source: ATP, Madrid Open