Stressed out Carlos Alcaraz admits he could not believe what Jan-Lennard Struff did in their Wimbledon match
Carlos Alcaraz was made to work hard for his place in the fourth round of Wimbledon, but got the job done in four sets.After Alcaraz beat Fabio Fognini and Oliver Tarvet in his opening two matches, he moved on to play Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round.Having pushed Alcaraz to five sets at SW19 three years ago, the German was ready for another shot at the two-time champion.Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty ImagesDropping the first set 1-6, Struff fought back to level things up at one-set-apiece on Centre Court.Stepping into another gear, Alcaraz took the third 6-3, as things got tense during the latter stages of the fourth set.Reacting after the match, Alcaraz could not believe what his German opponent did on game point at 4-4 in the fourth set.Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t know how Jan-Lennard Struff missed ‘that volley’During his on-court interview, the Spaniard gave his verdict on the point that turned the match in his favor.“He missed a volley one metre in front of the net, so I still can’t believe I am standing here 6-4,” said Alcaraz.“I just try to run every ball, to fight for every ball, and try to see if he was going to miss some easy shots. I was lucky that I made the most of it and ended up taking the break.More Tennis News“But I still do not know how he missed that volley.”AD-40 up at 4-4, Struff had the whole court to aim at with a volley, but struck it into the net, before Alcaraz broke a few minutes later.Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty ImagesSharing his overall thoughts on the match, Alcaraz explained how Struff made things difficult for him.“I knew from the beginning that it was going to be difficult. I had to be really focused on every shot on my service games and the return,” he said.“His game is suited to the grass. Big serves, approaching the net as much as he can.“So I am pleased about everything that I have done today, fighting, running, making great shots, and I tried to take the opportunities that he brought to me in the match, and I’m just proud to get the win in four sets.”The serve played a big role in the outcome of the match, as whilst Struff hit more aces than Alcaraz, he also hit more double faults, many of which came during crucial moments.Player Aces Double faults 1st Serve % Win % on 1st Serve Win % on 2nd Serve Carlos Alcaraz 10 4 58% 73% 68% Jan-Lennard Struff 13 10 55% 75% 47% Serving stats from Carlos Alcaraz v Jan-Lennard StruffRelieved to have secured his place in the last 16, Alcaraz admitted he was stressed throughout his third-round match.“It was stressful. To be honest, I was suffering in every service game that I did today,” he said.“0-30, break points down. It was stressful. Every time he could push me, he did it.“So I just kind of survived, I guess. I am just really happy that in the end I got the break and it was more calm.”Surviving to reach the fourth round, Alcaraz will now prepare to take on Andrey Rublev for the fourth time.Carlos Alcaraz and Andrey Rublev’s head-to-head recordNext up for Alcaraz is Russia’s Rublev, who has quietly gone about his business at the All England Club, reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the second time this year.The 27-year-old will be a big underdog against Alcaraz in the last 16, but will step onto the court knowing he has already beaten the world number two.Match Winner Loser Score 2024 ATP Finals – RR Carlos Alcaraz Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 2024 Madrid Open – QF Andrey Rublev Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 2023 ATP Finals – RR Carlos Alcaraz Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-2 Carlos Alcaraz and Andrey Rublev’s head-to-head recordProducing one of the best performances of his career, Rublev stunned Alcaraz at the Madrid Open in 2024, knocking out the two-time defending champion at the quarterfinal stage.Rublev would certainly love a repeat performance when they play on grass for the first time in the fourth round of Wimbledon.Alcaraz and Rublev will meet for a place in the quarterfinals on Sunday, July 6.
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