For the second time in 2023 Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated from a tournament before the quarterfinals. He did it by losing to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, in the round of 16 of the Shanghai Masters 1,000 and in 2 hours 10 minutes. Only in Rome had the Murcian been dropped early, who did not have a good day and gave in to a Dimitrov who was more solid than usual. In the three previous matches between them, the Spaniard had clearly dominated, who was hampered by his lack of consistency and by the serious game of his opponent. The Asian tour has not gone as he wanted for Alcaraz, who lost in the semifinals against Sinner last week.
The Murcian's game has lost a point of magic since his spectacular victory at Wimbledon. However, this slightly less artistic and fanciful Alcaraz must learn to weather emergency situations like the ones he experienced this Wednesday. The Murcian, standing on his legs, and having difficulty converting break opportunities, was able to overcome a 3-5 deficit in the first set but then did not accelerate. It is known that Dimitrov is a player with a tailwind and a very different one with the score against, or at least that is what has happened in many games. The Bulgarian took advantage of his break in the fifth game to gain cruising speed with his serve. He rained aces from his racket and gave away almost nothing. That is until he served to win the set.
At that moment of crossroads, the Murcian raised the level of intensity, went to the net with criteria to press, moved his opponent with intelligence and obtained the corresponding return. He prevented Dimitrov from taking the set and broke him again later to take the opening set. A very hard-fought 7-5 in 52 minutes. Alcaraz's momentum against a Dimitrov who usually errs on the side of irregularity suggested a quick outcome in the second set.
But, unlike on other occasions, Dimitrov did not break down mentally, he regained confidence in his blows and took advantage again. Alcaraz had not taken advantage of the moment to score and was down again in the second set, a break down. And, what is more worrying, the one from El Palmar had lowered his tone, which fueled Dimitrov's faith. All that was missing was another disconnect from Alcaraz for the Bulgarian to bag the second set, the first he had won against his rival, in their fourth meeting (6-2).
Alcaraz screamed in frustration when he found himself down again in the final round, now against the ropes, now with many doubts in his tennis. He wasn't enjoying it. On the contrary, he was having a bad time. 3-1, 4-2...the options were running out for the world number two, who sent the remains away and did not put pressure on an emboldened Dimitrov. There was no turning back. Alcaraz is on the couch.
