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Carlos Alcaraz's unique athleticism skills were on full display during his 2023 Argentina Open quarter-final on Friday. The World No. 2 pulled off a tweener after being dragged to a very difficult court position, in a manner that probably only Alcaraz could.
Playing in his first tournament since early November, the Spaniard made it through to the semifinals in Buenos Aires with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Dusan Lajovic.
En route to his quarterfinals victory, Carlos Alcaraz thrilled fans in the stadium by showcasing his retreival skills on one particular point in the sixth game of the opening set. After being forced to scramble towards the net as a result of a net cord from Lajovic, Alcaraz just about managed to push the ball back to Lajovic, who then responded with a volley, forcing the Spaniard to run back and chase the ball.
After being dragged off the court, the 19-year-old still managed to rush back and hit a clean tweener. Despite losing the point, Alcaraz drew great applause for his skills.
You can watch a video of the rally here:
Alcaraz eventually won the match quite comfortably, in what was a more clinical performance from the former World No. 1 after an understandably rusty outing in his first match against Laslo Djere.
The Spaniard, who is the top seed and the favorite to start his 2023 season by winning the title in Buenos Aires, will face the winner of the match between Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Francisco Cerundolo in the semifinals on Saturday evening.
"He has had to adapt after the US Open title to everything" - Carlos Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero
Carlos Alcaraz had to adapt to his life changing after winning the 2022 US Open and clinching his maiden Grand Slam title, his coach and former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero recently said. As per Ferrero, those experiences expectedly took their toll on the youngster towards the end of the season. However, the coach also feels that his student ending last season as the World No. 1 allowed him to adapt or adjust a bit more easily.
"He has had to adapt after the US Open title to everything that is happening to him, that had to take its toll, as was normal, as was to be expected," Ferrero told Clay Tenis Magazine.
"But finishing the year as number one gave him more time to adapt better to the new situation."
By winning the title this week in Buenos Aires, Alcaraz can close in on Novak Djokovic - who is not playing this week - in the ATP rankings as he aims to regain the World No. 1 ranking. Alcaraz will defend his Miami Open title next month.
