Carlos Alcaraz is through into the last eight in Beijing following an impressive performance! World no. 3 faced Tallon Griekspoor in the second round and notched a 6-1, 6-2 victory in 56 minutes. The Spaniard played one of his best matches of the season, dominating on serve and return and booking a spot in his second Beijing quarter-final.
The four-time Major winner served at 56% and drew the most from that, winning all 23 points behind the first serve and facing no break points. Griekspoor felt the pressure and crumbled under it, dropping 53% of the points in his games and suffering four breaks from seven opportunities presented to a better-ranked opponent.
The Spaniard hit 18 winners and 13 unforced errors, reducing his rival to two direct points and taking charge. Carlos had the upper hand from the baseline, dominating the shortest rallies up to four strokes and sealing the deal in style.
Alcaraz closed the first game of the match with a service winner and grabbed a break in the next one after Griekspoor’s mistakes.
Carlos Alcaraz is on the course toward his first Beijing Open title.
World no.3 held at 15 in the third game and made another push on the return at 3-0. The 21-year-old fired a forehand return winner in the fourth game, securing a break at love and extending the gap. Carlos served for the set at 5-1 and generated set points with a service winner.
The Spaniard seized the first with another powerful serve, opening a 6-1 gap after 24 minutes. They served well in the opening two games of the second set, and the young gun stepped in on the return at 1-1. The four-time Major winner created three break points with a deep return and painted a forehand winner on the second, moving 2-1 in front and closer to the finish line.
Carlos brought the fourth game home with a drop shot winner and extended the next one from 0-40. Griekspoor faced a break point after a forced error and fell 4-1 behind after a double fault.
The Spaniard cracked a forehand down the line winner in the sixth game, extending the gap and forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. Tallon denied a match point and held, reducing the deficit to 5-2 and prolonging the battle.
World no. 3 served for the win in game eight and earned a match point with a smash winner. Alcaraz landed an ace, sealing the deal in style and booking a place in the quarter-final. Carlos will face Karen Khachanov on Sunday, hoping for another fine performance.
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