Carlos Alcaraz will be pleased to see the back of a disappointing North American hardcourt swing after a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 loss in his opening match at the Miami Masters to David Goffin.
The Spaniard who would be expected to thrive in the Latin tennis hotbed, was unable to escape his opening match as the world No. 3 went down to his veteran Belgian opponent.
The 2022 champion could not capitalise on his early lead as he went down in Goffin’s comeback charge.
While he will stay third in the world behind Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz heads to the more welcoming clay of Barcelona next month with confidence dented, earning just one title (Rotterdam) and one semi-final (Indian Wells, loss to Jack Draper) so far this season.
The 34-year-old Goffin gave away 13 years to Alcaraz in their second-round matchup as he doubled down on his upset of the youngster three years ago in Astana.
“Sometimes some matches are tough and you have to fight, like the first round, and you’re happy to have a second round like that in a stadium,” the winner said.
“That’s why I continue to play tennis, to have that kind of match in a stadium, to play some good tennis.
“Physically I was ready to fight and I was feeling the ball really well. It’s the kind of night that you feel great and you’re happy to fight, you enjoy every point,” he said.
Alcaraz suffered his first loss this season to an opponent ranked outside the top 30.
Goffin broke early in all three sets in his turnaround effort under the Florida lights and was helped by 43 unforced errors from former No. 1 Alcaraz.
Alcaraz was left with no excuse in defeat.
“It was a poor level from me, I just wanted to play better. After the first set, I thought I was going to be better.
“He played good tennis and my level didn’t increase.”
He added: “Physically I did not feel well in my legs. When you don’t have the confidence of your level physically, I think it’s really tough to maintain good tennis.
“But I wasn’t injured, I wasn’t sick. I was feeling perfectly before the match. I was a bit nervous, but nothing more than that.”
Main photo:- David Goffin celebrates shock win in Miami – by Pete Staples/ATPTour.com
