Australia’s Alex de Minaur delivered a commanding performance at the Madrid Open, securing a convincing victory over Lorenzo Sonego, while Novak Djokovic’s struggles continued.
De Minaur Impressive in 6-2, 6-3 Win
Alex de Minaur showed his growing comfort on clay courts with a ruthless 6-2, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round of the Madrid Open. The Australian No. 1 displayed a near-perfect performance, making just nine unforced errors and controlling the match in 75 minutes. After his win, de Minaur expressed his love for the clay courts, saying, “Como en casa,” which means “like home” in Spanish.
Djokovic’s Struggles Continue
In contrast, Novak Djokovic’s struggles on clay courts deepened. The 37-year-old suffered a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Italian Matteo Arnaldi, marking his third consecutive defeat. Djokovic, who had hoped to continue his pursuit of 100 career titles, admitted that his form is not where he wants it to be and questioned whether he would return to the tournament next year.
De Minaur’s Rising Confidence on Clay
De Minaur’s performance is a sign of his improving form on clay. The 26-year-old has already made strides this season, reaching the semifinals in Monte Carlo and the quarterfinals in Barcelona. He feels more confident on the surface that once posed challenges for him. “I was able to bounce back and play some great tennis,” said de Minaur, reflecting on his recent performance. He credited his strong serving for making the match easier, noting, “It was a great serving day for me.”
Looking Ahead: De Minaur’s Next Challenge
De Minaur now faces Denis Shapovalov in the third round, after the Canadian defeated Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-4. De Minaur is focused on making a deep run in the Masters 1000 event in Madrid, which could set him up for success at the upcoming French Open, Roland Garros.
Djokovic’s Frustration and Concerns
Djokovic’s loss in Madrid comes after a disappointing first-round exit at the Monte Carlo Masters and a final defeat at the Miami Open. With 32 unforced errors in his match against Arnaldi, Djokovic admitted, “My level of tennis is not where I would like it to be.” He even considered the possibility that his match in Madrid could be his last appearance in the tournament. “It could be, it could be. I’m not sure if I will come back,” he said, expressing concern about his future.
Arnaldi’s Dream Win
For Matteo Arnaldi, defeating his idol Djokovic was a dream come true. After his victory, Arnaldi wrote “OMG” on the camera lens, expressing his shock and excitement.
Other Results: Tsitsipas Advances
In other action, Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame Jan-Lennard Struff 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the next round. Tsitsipas will now face 10th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti, who triumphed over Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
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