By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday April 28, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz had his back against the wall, but rallied to defeat Emil Ruusuvuori in three sets.
Photo Source: TTV
For a set and a half it looked like rising Finn Emil Ruusuvuori was about to send shockwaves through the Caja Magica in Madrid. The 24-year-old was holding the upper hand against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, dominating the run of play with pace and power, and about to negotiate a break of serve for a 6-2, 4-2 lead.
Five break points later, Alcaraz was still on even terms, notching an electrifying hold of serve for 3-3 in the second set that unlocked his game and allowed him to flip the script in a big way.
The 19-year-old Spaniard went on to win 10 of the final 14 games, notching a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory that left the packed house in Madrid roaring with delight.
“It was really tough. I would say,” Alcaraz said after the match. “I was about to lose. He was just one point [away]. I think one of the break points that he had in the 3-2 in the second was like a match point for him. I'm really happy that I was able to save that game and be able to come back.”
Alcaraz finished the contest with 35 winners against 33 unforced errors, including 19 off the forehand side. He dominated the third set, converting two of three break points as he won 13 of 25 return points – a stark contrast compared to Alcaraz’s results in his first seven return games of the match, where he won just 6 of 34 points (he won 19 of 38 from that point onward).
“It was really tough, he’s playing unbelievable,” Alcaraz said. “I'm just really happy to be able to get through that.”
Alcaraz said the pivotal sixth game of the second set sparked his self-belief.
“Being three on the second set, I thought that this was my chance, my moment and I I tried to take that. I was very focused. I was trying to put every ball in and running to every ball. I would say with a good attitude, the whole match. I was able to come back.”
The Spaniard will face Grigor Dimitrov in third-round action at Madrid. Alcaraz won their lone meeting at Paris last year, 6-1, 6-3.