Matching Carlos Alcaraz up with Jan-Lennard Struff is like matching a ball machine up with Struff’s power. And the ball machine will win in the end.
Of course, Alcaraz is a much different player today than the one Struff faced two years ago in straight sets at Roland Garros. Alcaraz had just turned 18 years old that day in 2021.
Alcaraz celebrated his 20th birthday on Friday. He’s an adult now, and quite likely the best one in all of tennis.
FACING ALCARAZ WILL BE QUITE DIFFERENT
Struff may not have looked like his 33-year-old self in outlasting Aslan Karatsev in one Madrid semifinal on Friday. At times, Karatsev actually looked like he was just on the court and really didn’t care much if he won or not while facing Struff for the second time in a couple of weeks.
Karatsev knew he had beaten lucky loser Struff in qualifying to earn his main draw berth at Madrid.
Once Struff starts chasing Alcaraz’s missiles, the big German likely will lose some of his power. He won’t be facing the deliberate-moving Karatsev.
ALCARAZ HAS AMAZING QUICKNESS AND POWER
Yes, Alcaraz is quite swift, and powerful, too, when he wants to be. Which is much of the time.
And the young Spaniard probably hasn’t forgotten that loss to Struff two years ago in Paris one day after Alcaraz had celebrated leaving his first 17 years behind.
Of course, Alcaraz paid Struff back a year later at Wimbledon. That one went five sets, but there is quite a difference between Madrid’s red clay and Wimbledon’s green grass.
Alcaraz almost toyed with Croatian Borna Coric for the first four games of each set in their semifinal matchup. Then Alcaraz forgot about the birthday celebration that was to follow and won a combined eight of 11 games to close out the two sets for a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
CARLOS’ MAGICAL GAME TAKES OVER
Struff isn’t likely to receive such free gifts from Alcaraz early on in Sunday’s final. Except maybe on some of Struff’s giant-like serves.
Coric looked quick and talented in the early going of both sets against Alcaraz. He obviously can be a tough opponent for some opponents because of those traits.
But when Alcaraz took charge, those traits faded and Coric’s game broke down in the clutch.
After all, he was facing the almost magical game of a young 20-year-old.
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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.
