After two weeks of competitive rest, Carlos Alcaraz returns to the ring and does so focused on keeping the number 1 ahead of the last Grand Slam of the season: the US Open.
The first obstacle on that path for the young Spanish tennis player will be Ben Shelton. The North American is a tough nut to crack on fast tracks and is a good touchstone in the debut of the Murcian at the Masters 1,000 in Toronto (Canada).
Alcaraz has a lot to face to be able to keep the number 1 since he defends very few points in this American tour prior to the US Open. Without going any further, last year he lost in Toronto in the first round against Tommy Paul (7-6, 6-7 and 3-6) and therefore does not defend points.
After an exceptional grass tour, with victories at Queen's and Wimbledon, Alcaraz has 14 consecutive victories and only Djokovic has managed to defeat him in his last 20 matches, and it was because the Spanish tennis player ended up injured.
Alcaraz and Shelton have not faced each other in an official match since both are very young, born in 2003 and 2002 respectively, and therefore today's duel will tip the balance in favor of one or the other.
The meeting between Alcaraz and Shelton will take place on center court no earlier than 01:00 am from Wednesday to Thursday. Viewers in Spain can tune in to Movistar Deportes to watch the game live.
