Carlos Alcaraz survives scare against Emil Ruusuvuori to keep Madrid Open title defence alive
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Updated 28/04/2023 at 16:46 GMT
Emil Ruusuvuori beat Carlos Alcaraz the last time the two players met - in Miami in 2021 - and he looked on course to produce another upset after winning the first set 6-2, but Alcaraz showed all his grit to mount a comeback in front of a boisterous Spanish crowd to seal his place in the third round. Alcaraz, who won his first Madrid Open title in 2022, will play Grigor Dimitrov next.
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Carlos Alcaraz is through to the third round of the Madrid Open after a 2-6 6-4 6-2 win over Emil Ruusuvuori.
The defending Madrid Open champion had to work hard to overcome the plucky Finn who won the first set in style.
But Alcaraz grew into the match as it progressed and his power overwhelmed the world No. 41 in the contest which lasted two hours and 16 minutes.
Alcaraz's win sets up a meeting with Grigor Dimitrov in the third round after the Bulgarian beat Frenchman Gregoire Barrere 7-6(6) 7-6(2).
"It was really tough," Alcaraz said in his on-court interview after the match.
"One of the break points he had at 3-2 in the second set was like a match point for him. I'm really happy I was able to save that game and be able to come back. It was really tough. Emil is playing unbelievable. I'm just really happy to be able to get through that.
"My serving game at 3-3 in the second set I thought 'this is my chance, this is my moment'. I tried to take that.
"I was really focused. I was trying to put everything into it. I would say with a good attitude in the whole match I was able to come back."
Ruusuvuori got off to a confident start with his service return proving particularly effective, while Alcaraz was making an uncharacteristic amount of unforced errors.
Ruusuvuori broke for the first time to move into a 3-1 lead when Alcaraz ripped a forehand into the net.
The Finn won all 11 points on his first serve, and sealed the opening set on Alcaraz's serve. He clinched the 36-minute set when the world No. 1 hit a backhand into the net for his 15th unforced error.
Ruusuvuori's return of serve continued to be dangerous in the second set as Alcaraz got visibly frustrated. At 3-2 up in the second set, Ruusuvuori squandered five break points and Alcaraz did just enough to hold serve after an epic 14-minute game.
Alcaraz then got his first break points of the match in the very next game. He let out a roar after converting the second one when he forced Ruusuvuori into hitting a cross-court backhand wide.
The break appeared to deflate Ruusuvuori as Alcaraz marched on to take the second set, converting his first set point with a vicious forehand winner.
Momentum was firmly with Alcaraz as he pushed Ruusuvuori into the corners in the opening game of the decider and he pumped his fist when he forced the break of serve.
With the crowd roaring Alcaraz on, he sealed the double break at the two-hour mark with a smash at the net to take a commanding 4-1 lead.
Ruusuvuori rescued a match point on his serve to force an extra game, but Alcaraz delivered the knockout blow on his own serve.
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