Alcaraz defeats Muller and advances to the third round of Wimbledon

Without excessive flash, but with lessons learned from last year, this time Carlos Alcaraz was not blinded by greatness tennis cathedral and he made another leap at Wimbledon by beating, with more trade than anything else, the French Alexander Müller per 6-4, 7-6 (2) and 6-3.

Finishing in 😎 style

world number 1 @carlosalcaraz defeats Alexandre Muller 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-3 on Center Court#wimbledon pic.twitter.com/02mpt4GLI0

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2023

“I’m a boy who learns quickly,” said the number one, recalling how last year Jannik Sinner used his inexperience in center field to hurt him. The Italian beat him and also taught him a lesson that he put into practice this Friday against, yes, a rival several cards below Sinner.

He came out calmer on the court, although he was surprised by the level of Muller who was not afraid and who explained on the court how he beat Arthur Rinderknech in the first round, a much better grass player than him. Accustomed to the Challengers, his natural territory, and with top 100 credentials only since April, Muller felt comfortable in his first appearance on such a stage.

The Frenchman, despite coming to Wimbledon without two weeks of preparation and playing on clay, played well in the first games and caused Alcaraz, who he had to save two breaking points on his second serve. The notice helped him grow and get into the game.

Always with a certain feeling that you are going against the current, due to the impossibility to specify breakpoints. It was a terrible game in that stretch (2 of 14) and that partly explains why Muller was choking so much, who surrendered the first set only after saving two set points and taking the second to a tiebreaker, where Alcaraz needed an extra dose of aggression to overcome the Frenchman.

Approaching the third round 💪@carlosalcaraz wins the second set 7-6(2)#wimbledon pic.twitter.com/wNalXgypdy

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2023

He climbed further to the net, looked for more of the halfway line and sealed the set with an early sensational dribble that snuffed out Muller’s possible rebellion.

But if the Frenchman has to be credited for anything, it’s his ability to not give up despite being down two sets midway to the world number one. As Alcaraz cooled down with an ice towel due to the London heat – the maximum temperatures of the tournament – Muller held on and did not let go.

With a considerable advantage, Alcaraz could not disconnect, because Muller, enjoying the situation, was much more dangerous than Jeremy Chardy in the first round. Actually, The Frenchman (29) made fewer unforced errors than the Spaniard (40)a sign that Alcaraz’s game was far from the necessary brilliance against an opponent with more cash.

It was a shining example that the greatest win by playing badly, or at least not as well as they would like. A necessary skill for the first round, especially in such a tense sport as tennis, where dozens of matches are played annually.

Their statistics showed an irregular game, but the result is important. A triumph in three series, without excessive wear and perfect for returning to the track this Saturday, when measure up to the Chilean one Nicolás Jarry or Australian Jason Kubler. Alcaraz continues to take the necessary steps at Wimbledon.