Alcaraz started from the position of huge favorite in the duel with Dimitrov, his form being exceptional, after 10 victories in a row. But the Bulgarian managed a huge game in the quarters in Florida. The player from the south of the Danube performed exceptionally and did not give any chance to the most fit player in the circuit: he managed a categorical 6-2, 6-4.
Grigor had an answer for everything, even when Carlitos raised his level. Dimitrov’s game was so good that it was also reflected in the numbers: 23 direct winning shots and only 5 unforced ones. The Bulgarian won 77% of the points won with the first serve, absolutely impressive for a duel in which Alcaraz is in front of you.
A monument to fair play, Carlitos accepted defeat with a smile on his face, speaking highly of Dimitrov, who, in his opinion, was “unplayable”. The Murcian revealed that he has never felt so helpless in a match in his career, this in the context in which his game was quite good.
“He played almost perfect tennis. I couldn’t find solutions or make him feel uncomfortable on the field. And this in the conditions in which I think I played great tennis. I left the field with the feeling that I played very well. Not perfect, but good.
I told my team, Grigor made me feel like a 13-year-old. It was crazy, I didn’t know what to do, he had no weaknesses. That’s why I feel a frustration, but the next time I face him I will try to bring something new.
With him playing at this level, it’s very hard to beat him. I don’t remember feeling like this in another game. If it did, it was a long time ago. I didn’t know what to do. I looked for solutions, but he wouldn’t let me. I felt a huge frustration, this happened to me today“, explained Alcaraz at the press conference after the match.
Alcaraz’s conclusions, after Indian Wells and Miami
Defeated by Dimitrov in Shanghai in the fall, Alcaraz was looking to get revenge against the Bulgarian, and when Carlitos has “revenge” plans, the opponents should be afraid. Marozsan and Zverev felt this on their own skin at Indian Wells, a tournament won authoritatively by the Iberian.
Tonight, however, Dimitrov was from another league, something emphasized once again by Murcian, who believes that he played a good match, much more than what had happened in China, in the fall.
“The truth is that in Shanghai we did not play well. Today I played much better. In China we made many mistakes, which did not happen today. Even so, we didn’t find solutions on the field, his game was perfect.
But it was a positive month, I won a Masters 1000 and I felt great physically. Despite the defeat, I leave with the feeling that I played good tennis, only that I found an unbeatable opponent. I’m happy with my level this month in the States and I’m looking forward to starting the clay season“, Carlitos also said.
After Miami, Alcaraz risks dropping to the 3rd place in the ATP, which will happen if Jannik Sinner wins the tournament.
In the semifinals, the athlete from the Balkans will meet Alexander Zverev, who didn’t give any chance to Fabian Marozsan, whom he passed 6-3, 7-5. The German and the Bulgarian have met 8 times so far, with Sascha winning 7 times (4 times last year, when they met both at Roland Garros and the US Open). In the other semi-final, the duel between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev will take place, in a repeat of the Australian Open final, won by the Italian after leading 2-0 in sets.
Tags: Alcaraz memorable reaction destroyed Dimitrov felt #13yearold child
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