Carlos Alcaraz

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Alcaraz Wins Roland Garros Qualifying Opener

Spoiler:

McDonald, Kudla and Istomin also advance
Spanish teen Carlos Alcaraz moved one step closer to the main draw of Roland Garros with a 6-3, 6-3 win Tuesday over Lukas Lacko in the first round of qualifying. The seventh seed will take on Italy's Andrea Pellegrino in the second round.

Alcaraz, an 18-year-old ranked No. 94 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, won his fourth ATP Challenger in Oeiras last week. The title propelled him inside the Top 100 for the first time. He made his Grand Slam debut at this year's Australian Open, where he qualified and won his first round.

You May Also Like: Alcaraz's Ascent: 18-Year-Old Celebrates Top 100 Debut
American Jenson Brooksby lost just one game in a 6-1, 6-0 win over Cedrik-Marcel Stebe and takes on Switzerland's Marc-Andrea Huesler next. Brooksby has accumulated a 19-2 record on the ATP Challenger Tour this year with three titles. The 20-year-old made waves at the US Open in 2019 when he qualified and upset Tomas Berdych in the first round.

The highest seed to fall on the second day of qualifying action was third seed Dennis Novak. The Austrian was beaten by Spain's Mario Vilella Martinez, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2. Martinez has qualified for a Grand Slam main draw twice, but never in Paris.

Elsewhere, Mackenzie McDonald ended Thanasi Kokkinakis' bid 6-4, 6-4, Denis Kudla dismissed Mikael Torpegaard 6-1, 6-2 and Denis Istomin defeated Damir Dzumhur 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/qualify ... esday-2021

[Bombardiero]

[Damian]

[Damian]

ALCARAZ OUT TO EMULATE RAFA UNDER FERRERO'S WING

Spoiler:

Spanish teen is one of the hottest prospects on tour and is just one win away from securing his RG debut.

Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros qualifying, round one
© Corinne Dubreuil/FFT
When he was just 12 years old, Carlos Alcaraz visited Roland-Garros as a fan, spellbound by what he witnessed.

The Spaniard remembers thinking, “One day I’ll be here”.


Two matches down, one to go. It’s nearly mission accomplished.

Alcaraz is one of the hottest topics on tour. Coached by a Grand Slam champion in Juan Carlos Ferrero, and following in the footsteps of a certain Rafael Nadal, the 18-year-old is building quite the reputation.

Already in 2021, the teenager has secured a first ATP semi-final in Marbella, scooped a maiden Masters 1000 match-win in Madrid and lifted a Challenger title last week in Oeiras, Portugal, to go with the three trophies he picked up at that level last season.

>> FULL RESULTS FROM WEDNESDAY'S QUALIFYING ACTION

Such moves cause a swirl, but Alcaraz has tunnel vision on the essential matters, hiding from the hype and expectations.

“I try not to think about that. I have to just play for myself and my team, my family,” Alcaraz told rolandgarros.com after dispatching Andrea Pellegrino 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday.

Play Video
“My team knows my level, what I’m capable of, how far I can reach. I try not to get distracted by reading too much things like the social media, I have to just play for me.”

This week, Alcaraz is making his top-100 debut -- the youngest player to do so since Borna Coric (17) back in 2014.

“Yeah it’s amazing, one of the highlights of my career so far for sure. It means I’m working really hard, I’m doing the correct things,” added the world No.94 from Murcia.

“I’m trying every day to be better, so it’s a good gift to be in the top 100. It’s really special to be among the best players in the world.”

Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros 2021, qualifying second round
© Julien Crosnier/FFT
Earlier this month, Alcaraz celebrated his 18th birthday by facing Nadal at the Madrid Open -- a much talked-about clash that culminated with a 6-1, 6-2 scoreline for the ‘King of Clay.’

“I learned a lot from Rafa. When I see him play I always try to pick up something. Noting what I have to improve," he said.

“Playing against him was an amazing experience, the perfect opportunity to learn from the best, the best way to learn how to play points at the top, how to manage the nerves in the tough moments. Everything.”


It’s another Spanish hero in his corner: 2003 Roland-Garros champion Ferrero is coach to this formidable talent.

“Yes of course I’ve seen videos of him here at Roland-Garros and other tournaments,” said Alcaraz, keen to extract useful insights from his coach’s past in Paris.

“Not the full matches, but the highlights. I’ve talked with him a lot about the beginning of his career, what I’m doing, playing early at Roland-Garros. He did so well here, especially in the first years, I can take a lot from that.”

>> ORDER OF PLAY: THURSDAY MAY 27

A plethora of players have complimented the 18-year-old’s composed on-court demeanour and humble persona. It’s all part of the package.

“The good mentality is the best weapon, the most important thing you can learn. On court it’s important to not show your opponent that you’re a bit down or not in a good moment. It’s important to stay calm, to stay focused all of the time," he explains.

Alcaraz will battle for his main draw berth against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo or Indian No.27 seed Sumit Nagal.

Marc Polmans, Roland Garros 2021 qualifying second round
© Philippe Montigny/FFT
'Always digging'
Australian Marc Polmans’ profile on Instagram reads, “Whack your helmet on, get the shovel out and never stop digging. #AlwaysDigging”.

It’s relevant to the gauntlet of qualifying, which the world No.149 is one match away from completing, following victories over compatriot Alex Bolt and French youngster Arthur Fils.

“It’s just a funny motto I’ve had going since I was a junior. It’s perfectly relatable to the Challengers and qualies, shooting for the top 100. We use the term 'dig', to find a way,” stated the 24-year-old. “You’ve got to fight every week.”

It’s been a turbulent and pretty fruitless period on the red dirt for Polmans, but the Australian relishes a return to Paris, where last October he upset home charge Ugo Humbert before pushing world No.23 Cristian Garin to four sets in the main draw second round.


“The last couple of months have definitely been a tough road for me but mentally it’s a new week for me, so we’ll see how it goes,” added the Melbournian, who will hope to conquer 14th seed Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the final round.

“Last year was one of the best matches I’ve played on clay, that gave me a lot of confidence. I’ve been trying to replicate that, believing in myself like last year. My game is playing as I want it right now.”

Former world No.12 Viktor Troicki’s final Roland-Garros was halted 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 by Australian Aleksandar Vukic, who will vie for a main draw ticket against American Bjorn Fratangelo.

Fifth seed Taro Daniel advanced to book an encounter with home hope Quentin Halys, while the likes of Denis Istomin, Maximilian Marterer and Mackenzie McDonald all remain in contention.

https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/arti ... reros-wing

[Damian]

#NextGenATP Alcaraz, Brooksby One Win From Roland Garros Main Draw

Spoiler:

Dellien wins match that lasts three hours and 39 minutes
Last year, Carlos Alcaraz lost in the first round of qualifying at Roland Garros. This edition, the #NextGenATP star is one win from reaching the main draw on the terre battue for the first time.

Alcaraz defeated Italian Andrea Pellegrino 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the final round of qualifying in Paris. The 18-year-old has lost a total of nine games through the first two rounds after beating Slovakian veteran Lukas Lacko on Monday.


The World No. 94, who is the youngest player in the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings, will next play Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, who eliminated Indian Sumit Nagal 6-3, 6-3.

You May Also Like: Alcaraz's Ascent: 18-Year-Old Celebrates Top 100 Debut
Another #NextGenATP star, American Jenson Brooksby, rallied past Switzerland's Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 to move to within a win of qualifying. The 20-year-old, who did not play a professional match in 2020, has already won three ATP Challenger Tour titles this season. He owns the second-highest winning percentage (90.4%) through the first four months of a Challenger season.

Brooksby will play World No. 329 Evan Furness in the third round of qualifying after the Frenchman beat American Denis Kudla 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-4. The home favourite made his first Challenger semi-final in Portugal this April.

Read Brooksby Challenger Q&A

One match lasted three hours and 39 minutes, with 12th seed Hugo Dellien battling past Slovenian Blaz Kavcic 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 6-4. The Bolivian is trying to compete in the main draw here for the third consecutive year. In two other clashes that lasted nearly three hours, Buenos Aires finalist Francisco Cerundolo clawed past American Thai-Son Kwiatkowski 6-7(3), 6-4, 7-6(5) and 16th seed Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru ousted Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-7(10), 7-5, 6-3 in a first-round qualifying encounter.

Second seed Daniel Elahi Galan continued his impressive clay-court season with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph against Turkey's Altug Celikbilek. The Colombian successfully qualified for Roland Garros last year and advanced to the third round of the main draw.

American Mackenzie McDonald, who defeated Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round of qualifying, beat Argentine Renzo Olivo 6-3, 6-4 and he will face another Argentine, Marco Trungelliti, for a place in the main draw. Former junior Grand Slam champions Bjorn Fratangelo (2011 Roland Garros), Kimmer Coppejans (2012 Roland Garros) and Roman Safiullin (2015 Australian Open) also advanced.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz ... qualifying

[Barty]

[Kamileki]

[Bombardiero]

[Damian]

[Damian]

#NextGenATP Alcaraz Qualifies For Roland Garros: 'I Think I'm Ready'

Spoiler:

Second seed Galan makes the field after nearly three hours
If Carlos Alcaraz felt nerves during his final-round qualifying match at Roland Garros on Friday, the 18-year-old certainly did not show them. The #NextGenATP star defeated Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 6-1, 6-1 to reach the main draw on the Parisian clay for the first time.

“I’m really, really happy. It’s a great feeling to play here in my first main draw here in Roland Garros,” Alcaraz said. “Everyone is really hungry to qualify to the main draw, so for me it’s a great feeling. I am feeling really comfortable on court and let’s see who I play in the main draw.”


Alcaraz needed just 58 minutes to dispatch his 23-year-old opponent. The teen is carrying plenty of confidence after winning his fourth ATP Challenger Tour title last week in Oeiras, Portugal. This will be his second Grand Slam main draw after making his major debut earlier this year at the Australian Open, where he advanced to the second round.

“I got comfortable last week in Portugal winning the Challenger 125, then winning these three matches in qualifying,” Alcaraz said. “I’m getting comfortable playing here and it’s not easy to play best of five sets, but I think I am ready. It’s not my first main draw of a Grand Slam, so I am going to improve what I did in Australia. I think I’m more ready than in Australia.”

You May Also Like: Alcaraz's Ascent: 18-Year-Old Celebrates Top 100 Debut
The second seed in qualifying, Daniel Elahi Galan, played three times as long as Alcaraz on Friday, but the Colombian also made the main draw with a 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-4 victory against Kimmer Coppejans after two hours and 54 minutes.

Denis Istomin is currently No. 203 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, but he will make his 11th appearance in the Roland Garros field after eliminating German Tobias Kamke 6-4, 7-6(5) after one hour and 52 minutes.

Eighth seed Mackenzie McDonald did not lose more than four games in a set in his three qualifying matches, completing his impressive run with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph against Argentine Marco Trungelliti.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz ... ing-friday

[Bombardiero]

[DUN I LOVE]

W imponującym stylu Carlos Alcaraz przeszedł kwalifikacje do Roland Garros 2021.

Lacko 63 63
Pellegrino 61 62
Tabilo 61 61

[Damian]

ALCARAZ BREAKS NEW GROUND IN PARIS

Spoiler:

Huge comeback sealed and main draw tickets secured on final day of RG2021 qualifying

Carlos Alcaraz, Roland-Garros 2021
©Loïc Wacziak / FFT
He’s picking up silverware, cracked the top 100 and now Carlos Alcaraz is into his first Roland-Garros main draw.

The Spanish hot shot, coached by 2003 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, visited the grounds as a fan six years ago and told himself he would make it as a professional. Now it is a reality.


Another efficient display, 6-1, 6-1 over Alejandro Tabilo, completed the 18-year-old’s qualifying quest having dropped just 11 games along the way.

“I’m really really happy, it’s a great feeling to make my first main draw here,” claimed the world No.94, drawn to face compatriot Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the first round. “Everyone is really hungry to qualify, so it’s a great achievement for me."

In February, Alcaraz ran the qualifying gauntlet in Melbourne, before reaching the Australian Open second round. The ambitious Spaniard is after more this time round.

“I feel very comfortable. Last week winning the Challenger in Portugal, wining these three matches, I’m confident, but it’s not easy to play the best of five sets," he said. "I feel more ready and that I can improve what I did in Australia.”


Ana Konjuh has deserved a big break, enduring four elbow surgeries since her most recent Grand Slam showing at Wimbledon 2018.

Now the amiable Croatian will return to the major arena following a 7-6(1), 6-4 victory over Rebecca Sramkova with third seed Aryna Sabalenka standing in her path.

“I didn’t want to get ahead of myself, the priority is to stay healthy. It means a lot, I love all the Grand Slams and it’s amazing to be here,” the 2016 US Open quarter-finalist said.

“It was really hard to get back to this level. But I’m back in Grand Slams, which is the most important thing. I’ve just got to keep going, thinking positive and give it my all, play on my terms.”

Daniel Elahi Galan , Roland Garros 2021 qualifying
© Philippe Montigny/FFT
American youngster Jenson Brooksby saved three match points to prevail in a lung-bursting three-hour, 22-minute tussle with French wildcard Evan Furness.

The 20-year-old, who has scooped three Challenger titles already this season, posted a 6-7(5), 7-6(2), 6-4 win to earn an intriguing encounter with Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev.

The smile from cheek to cheek said it all. Last autumn Daniel Elahi Galan ventured to the third round in Paris, making the most of his opportunity as a lucky loser.

The Colombian has truly earned his main draw spot this time at RG2021, posting a hard-fought 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Belgium’s Kimmer Coppejans.

“It feels really good,” said Galan, who arrived off the back of a final showing at the Heilbronn Challenger. “I’ve had to adapt here, when not playing my best I’ve found answers. You know in tennis that everything can change at any moment. I’m so happy how I kept fighting.”

The 25-year-old fell to world No.1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets last October, but would relish another chance to compete on the most prestigious stage.


“The first round against Cameron Norrie was really special, my first win in a Grand Slam main draw,” continued the Colombian, drawn against world No.59 Guido Pella in the first round.

“Playing on Philippe-Chatrier against Djokovic was, let’s say, a difficult match, but it was a memorable experience and hopefully this year I’ll be back on that court.

“That match showed me I have a lot to improve physically and improve in my game and it’s about building towards that every day. But it also showed I’m on the right path, earning chances to play opponents like Djokovic.”

Wang Xiyu, Roland Garros 2021, qualifying final round
© Andre Ferreira/FFT
Despite surrendering two match points in the second set, China’s Wang Xiyu fended off ninth seed Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-3. The 2018 US Open junior champion continues to grow into the professional game with her second appearance at a major and will take to court against world No.50 Danielle Collins at the first hurdle.

Americans Hailey Baptiste and Mackenzie McDonald joined the main draw alongside Denis Istomin, who has the task of tackling the returning 2009 champion Roger Federer.

https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/arti ... uh-returns

[Bombardiero]

[Bombardiero]

[Damian]

[Damian]

#NextGenATP Alcaraz Checks Off Another First At Roland Garros

Spoiler:

The 18-year-old will next play 28th seed Basilashvili
#NextGenATP Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz notched another career first on Monday when he earned his maiden berth into the second round at Roland Garros.

The 18-year-old, who cracked the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time last week, defeated fellow qualifier Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(4). Alcaraz trailed by a break in the fourth set, but he clawed back to triumph after three hours and eight minutes.

“I think the mental game is really, really important in these kinds of matches. You have to be focussed and calm all the match, three hours and 10 minutes. It's really important and not easy to do,” Alcaraz said. “I trust a lot in my physical [conditioning], yeah. I could play a really, really good game during the whole match.”


The teen sensation has now not just successfully qualified at the season's first two Grand Slams, but he has also won a match in the main draw as well. Alcaraz earned momentum heading into the clay-court major by claiming an ATP Challenger Tour title in Oeiras, Portugal two weeks ago.

Follow Live Scores At RolandGarros.com

Alcaraz showed impressive resilience against his countryman, who beat him in a Challenger final last September. Zapata Miralles seemingly had an answer for every Alcaraz surge, but the #NextGenATP star made his stand in the fourth-set tie-break. The World No. 97 hit 41 winners and broke serve eight times to earn a match against big-hitting Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili.

“I think it has been a tough match against a great player like Zapata, a really tough player. I think when I won the third set, I think he [was] going a bit down on the beginning of the fourth,” Alcaraz said. “But he [was] still playing really, really well in the fourth. I had to be focussed with his shots. I think I played a really, really good game in the fourth, going down all the set. I think in the tie-break I [went] for the match.”

The 28th seed beat 2019 Monte-Carlo finalist Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-3, 0-6, 6-2. Basilashvili had not won a match at Roland Garros since making the third round in 2017.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz ... 021-monday

[Kamileki]