Carlos Alcaraz and Argentine Facundo Bagnis meet this Friday in the Master 1000 in Miami, the first tournament that the Murcian disputes after having recovered the number one in the world ranking with his victory last week in the Master 1000 in Indian Wells.
Alcaraz begins his defense against Bagnis, 33, number 100 in the world, who beat Brazilian Felipe Meligeni Alves this Wednesday 6-3, 1-6 and 6-4. Both will meet for the second time in their career, with a favorable balance for the Spaniard, who beat him in the quarterfinals of Umag 2022.
The 19-year-old from Murcia must win to retain the crown to stay at the top of the world rankings. If he does not do so, the Serbian Novak Djokovic, absent in Miami when he cannot access the US due to his refusal to vaccinate against the coronavirus, will return to number one.
There has been no shortage of praise for Alcaraz after he regained number one in the world ranking, after signing an exhibition against the Russian Daniil Medvedev that also returned him the first position, to the detriment of Djokovic.
Alcaraz will not meet Murray, one of the figures of the tournament. The Briton said goodbye to Miami in two sets (6-4 and 7-5) against the Serbian Dusan Lajovic.
Despite regaining number one at just 19 years old, the Murcian says he is "calm". "I don't feel too much pressure, I know what I have to do. I have to play relaxed and not focus on whether I'm losing or playing well. My objective is always the same, to feel comfortable on the court," Alcaraz said in his first press conference in Miami.
The Spanish tennis player does not think of comparisons and assures that he only wants to enjoy everything he is achieving: "I want to enjoy tennis and try to think positive when I play. That is why I am playing at a good level now. I enjoy every second and play relaxed".
The match between Carlos Alcaraz and Facundo Bagnis of the Miami Master 1000 will take place this Friday, March 24, not before 7:30 p.m. The match is scheduled for the third turn of Center Court, where play will begin at 5:00 p.m. CET.
The clash can be seen on television through Movistar and can also be followed live through the La Vanguardia website.
