By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, September 29, 2023
Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz beat Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 6-3 to set up a Beijing showdown with Lorenzo Musetti.
Photo credit: Fred Lee/Getty
Darting right, Carlos Alcaraz was in full chase behind the baseline.
Or so it seemed.
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Sizing up a running forehand, Alcaraz slashed a searing strike crosscourt that froze Yannick Hanfmann.
Turning defense into destruction, Alcaraz broke five times in a 6-4, 6-3 sweep of the German qualifier in his Beijing opener.
It was Alcaraz’s first win in China and his first match since he bowed to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open semifinals earlier this month.
The Wimbledon winner should be pleased with his performance. Alcaraz moved fluidly, struck forcefully and with the exception of his 5 of 16 break-point conversion rate, he should be satisfied with a straight-sets debut.
“I’m really, really happy to be able to win this match in straight sets, Yannick is playing well, he’s a really dangerous player,” Alcaraz said. “He was playing big bombs in this match so I had to be really focused in this match. And try to not let him dominate the match.
“I tried to be focused on every part of my game, I have to improve every part of my game a little bit, so I’m happy to do it and have another chance in the next round.”
Alcaraz continues imposing the last word in the first round.
The top-seeded Spaniard improved to 14-0 in opening-round matches this season. Alcaraz raised his 2023 record to an ATP-best 59-7, including a 22-4 mark on hard courts.
Continuing his quest to regain the world No. 1 ranking, the second-ranked Spaniard will play Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday for a quarterfinal spot.
Earlier, Musetti converted four of five break points defeating Zhuhai champion Karen Khachanov 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 in one hour, 56 minutes. The 18th-ranked Musetti and Alcaraz have split two prior Tour-level meetings, both on red clay.
On his fourth break point of this Beijing opener, Alcaraz provoked a netted backhand breaking again for 3-2.
The top seed torched his first ace down the T confirming the break at 15 for 4-2.
As pressure piled up on his service games, Hanfmann made a stand. The German saved two break points then ran down a drop shot and swatted a sprinting crosscourt backhand strike, earning a hard-fought hold in the seventh game.
That spirited stand sparked the qualifier to break through in the eighth game. Fending off a fiery forehand from Alcaraz with a backhand down the line, Hanfmann caught the baseline prompting a netted reply to break back and even after eight games.
Deploying his variety, Alcaraz tormented the German with a clever lob, some drop shots and crackling drives earning three more break points in the ninth game. Hanfmann used Alcaraz’s favorite play against him, carving out a drop shot and pass to save the third break point.
On Alcaraz’s fourth break point, he launched airborne into a flying forehand missile crosscourt earning his third break for 5-4 at the 48-minute mark.
A razor-sharp short-angled backhand brought Alcaraz to 30-love. The Wimbledon winner served out the opening set at 15 sliding his second ace wide to convert his second set point.
Alcaraz was striking with more confidence as the set progressed. The pair combined for five service breaks in the 52-minute opening set.
Though his spirit was willing, Hanfmann’s serve was vulnerable. Stepping inside the baseline, Alcaraz banged a backhand return winner down the line breaking for a 2-1 second-set lead.
A stubborn Hanfmann saved another break point and dabbed some timely drop shots holding for 3-4.
On Alcaraz’s third match point, Hanfmann put a forehand into net sending the Spaniard through to roaring support from Beijing fans in 97 minutes.