Carlos Alcaraz makes winning clay return to start Buenos Aires title defence |

Match Report

Alcaraz makes winning clay return to start Buenos Aires title defence

Home hope Coria upsets second seed Norrie

February 15, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz wins nine of the final 10 points in his opening Buenos Aires victory.
By ATP Staff

Playing in his first match since his Australian Open quarter-final exit, Carlos Alcaraz survived an inspired effort from Argentine qualifier Camilo Ugo Carabelli to escape with a straight-sets win on Thursday at the IEB+ Argentina Open. In a 6-2, 7-5 victory, Alcaraz missed out on two match points in the second set before winning the final two games of the match at the ATP 250.

The Spaniard comfortably moved through the gears early on, coming from behind in both sets as he recalibrated his game in his first clay-court appearance of 2024. But from 2-5 in the second, Ugo Carabelli roared back with his aggressive tactics. After saving a match point at both 5-3 and 5-4, the Argentine created a 0/40 opening at 5-5 before Alcaraz won nine of the final 10 points to seal the win.

“It’s been a really tough match. He’s a really good fighter, a really good player, good rhythm. He was really tough to beat in the match, playing my game,” Alcaraz said post-match. 

“I started really nervous, I’m not going to lie, with the crowd behind him, supporting him. I think it’s normal, obviously, but really happy with my first match on clay since Roland Garros. Hopefully [I can] keep going better and better.”

Injection of pace ????????@carlosalcaraz | @ArgentinaOpen | #IEBMasArgOpen2024 pic.twitter.com/d8bhpyjcJs

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 15, 2024

The Spanish top seed is bidding to successfully defend a title for the third time in his career after retaining home crowns in Barcelona and at the Madrid ATP Masters 1000 last season. Through to the quarter-finals, he will next meet qualifier Andrea Vavassori after the Italian’s 6-4, 7-5 upset of seventh seed Laslo Djere.

Alcaraz used twin five-game runs to seize control of both sets against Ugo Carabelli, winning the first set from 1-2 and storming ahead from 0-2 down in the second. But just when it seemed Alcaraz would cruise through the finish line, the Argentine — who was seeking his first tour-level quarter-final and the biggest win of his career — fought valiantly to raise his resistance in front of his home fans.

The World No. 134 attacked Alcaraz’s second serve throughout the match with great success, winning 15 of 17 second-serve return points including all nine in the second set, according to Infosys ATP Stats. But Alcaraz made seven straight first serves to steady himself late in the second set and hold for 6-5, before his forehand keyed the break that clinched the win.

Earlier at the ATP 250, Argentina’s Federico Coria knocked out second seed and returning finalist Cameron Norrie 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. By earning his fourth Top 20 win (and first since 2022), the home…