Carlos Alcaraz is into the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals, having just played his best match of the week thus far.
In what has been an admittedly shaky start to the event for the Spaniard, he let out some of that frustration on Luca Nardi, who he comprehensively swept aside, 6-1, 6-4.
It marks the arrival of his usual level at last, with plenty more to still improve upon.
Having exited early at this event 12 months ago, it is refreshing to see Carlos Alcaraz finally getting some solid matches under his belt ahead of the US Open. This swing of the tour last year was not kind to him, losing early in Cincinnati before a shock exit in just the second round of the US Open.
Whilst his eyes will be firmly set on the prospect of winning the title here, he has since admitted that his goal at the start of the week was far from that glory-focused one.
With this win over Nardi, he continues to accomplish it.
Carlos Alcaraz reveals what his goal was for this week
Speaking to reporters after his win, Alcaraz convincingly admitted: “Without a doubt, I think this has been my best game so far in the tournament.”
He continued: “As I already commented at the beginning of the week, my goal was to be a little better in every game I played, in every training I had, something that I think I am fulfilling as the days go by, so I am proud of this.
“It is incredible to see how I am evolving in this tournament. Today, for example, I leave very happy for the way I have felt the ball being on the court and also for the way in which I have moved.”
It’s refreshing to see the 22-year-old finally alleviate some of the pressure and reward himself for making incremental improvements, match by match.
This came after Iga Swiatek sympathised with Alcaraz’s struggles at the start of the event, admitting she too takes time to build into tournaments on occasion.
Carlos Alcaraz comments on the Cincinnati Open conditions
Alcaraz was not finished there when speaking about the Cincinnati Open, as his attention then turned to the conditions at this event.
After all, they have been a huge talking point, given how the heat has caused many top-level players to be sick and even bow out, unable to compete in such a sweltering and energy-sapping environment.
Fortunately, it has yet to visibly affect the five-time Grand Slam champion on court, but he did admit that it does make things much harder.
He claimed: “We all know how difficult the conditions are this year, especially because of the issue of humidity and extreme heat, so I am happy to continue overcoming rounds and give myself a new opportunity to compete in a couple of days.
“Right now, I am already thinking about that next challenge. Each game is more complicated than the previous one, so I will still have to improve some aspects if I want to continue moving forward.”
These struggles arguably frame the goal he has accomplished in an even more impressive light.
