Carlos Alcaraz battles past Botic van de Zandschulp in Rotterdam – ‘I started really nervous’

Carlos Alcaraz was pressured to work laborious for victory towards Dutch wild card Botic van de Zandschulp on the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam on Tuesday.

The highest seed was put by means of his paces, particularly throughout the first two units, earlier than he claimed a 7-6(3) 3-6 6-1 victory.

Alcaraz, who suffered a shock defeat to the Dutchman within the second spherical on the US Open final 12 months, finally made his additional class inform.

The 21-year-old performed with a nasal strip to assist his respiration because of affected by a chilly.

Van de Zandschulp had a set level at 5-4 within the opening set however then served a double fault, and Alcaraz gained the tie-break to edge forward.

The underdog performed some very good tennis to stage the match, earlier than Alcaraz comfortably took the decider.

“I feel there have been a number of ups and downs within the match,” Alcaraz mentioned.

“Being set level down within the first set, I feel Botic performed a very stable match. Not too many ups and downs for him, actually constant all through the match.

“I’m simply actually completely happy to get by means of. [I had to] be actually targeted within the robust moments, to maintain pushing and belief the great tennis will come once more.

“I’m completely happy to get by means of a troublesome match and have an opportunity to get higher within the subsequent spherical.”

Alcaraz might have gained 4 grand slam titles on the way in which to changing into one of many sport’s greatest younger stars, however he admitted to affected by nerves.

“I began actually nervous, I feel it’s regular. The primary match in each event is rarely simple.

“I simply needed to get used to my first match right here in Rotterdam. It’s important to get used to taking part in with a full crowd, it’s completely totally different. I’m simply completely happy to get used to it.”