Carlos Alcaraz believes Sunday’s straight-sets loss in Monte-Carlo got here down to at least one key issue: Jannik Sinner outplayed him from the baseline—notably in backhand-to-backhand exchanges.
Talking to reporters after the ultimate, Alcaraz readily agreed with that evaluation.
“one hundred pc,” he mentioned. “On clay, the serve may help at instances, however total it’s about what occurs from the baseline.”
Sinner landed simply 51 % of his first serves, however was more practical behind each deliveries. The Italian received 66 % of his first-serve factors (in comparison with 58 % for Alcaraz) and 65 % of his second-serve factors (in comparison with 56 %).
“I feel he received the match from the baseline,” Alcaraz mentioned. “From backhand to backhand, he was simply significantly better. Particularly within the first set, we performed numerous these rallies and I felt he was in a greater place to assault than me.
“He simply dealt with that facet higher. He struck the ball cleaner, and yeah, I’d say he managed issues from the baseline.”
In line with The Athletic’s James Hansen, Sinner additionally did a superb job of breaking out of these patterns and leaning on his forehand. He struck 117 forehands to Alcaraz’s 98, whereas hitting simply 80 backhands in comparison with 112 for the Spaniard.
Alcaraz added that Sinner’s serve proved decisive within the greatest moments, notably within the first-set tiebreak.
“The share wasn’t that top,” Alcaraz mentioned. “However when it mattered, he made the primary serve. Within the tiebreak, he didn’t miss a primary serve, and I barely bought returns in play.
“When it issues, he finds the primary serve, that’s why he’s so troublesome to interrupt.”
Alcaraz Plans Full Clay Swing
The 22-year-old mentioned he intends to play a full clay-court schedule within the lead-up to Roland-Garros, together with Barcelona, Madrid and Rome—although he acknowledged that flexibility will probably be key.
“The principle purpose is to play the total clay season,” he mentioned. “We’ll see the way it goes. That was the purpose final 12 months as properly, however I needed to skip Madrid due to harm.
“I’m going to take heed to my physique significantly better this 12 months. If I have to skip a event, I’ll. I’ll do no matter it takes to remain wholesome. If every thing goes properly, I’ll play the total clay swing.”
Alcaraz admitted there are nonetheless loads of unknowns because the grind of the clay season begins.
“I don’t know the way it’s going to go,” he mentioned. “Whether or not I win matches, lose early, or how bodily the matches will probably be. We’ll simply need to see.”
