Novak Djokovic wins in Miami to start the season and thus equals Rafael Nadal. Carlos Alcaraz once again puts in a disappointing performance.
Title contender Carlos Alcaraz has already failed at the first hurdle at the ATP Masters in Miami. The Spaniard, seeded second in Florida, lost to the experienced Belgian David Goffin 7-5, 4-6, 3-6 in their second-round match – and then exercised self-criticism.
“It was generally a low level from me, I didn’t play well,” said Alcaraz, who also complained of “heavy legs.”
It was “very difficult” to fight against the looming defeat in the third set because he “didn’t feel physically good and also lacked self-confidence,” said the Spanish world number three.
In Indian Wells, Alcaraz had already put in an inexplicable performance in the semi-finals against Jack Draper and even described his first set as “probably one of the worst” of his career.
Medvedev also out of sorts in Miami
Like Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev was also knocked out early.
The 2024 Miami winner was defeated by the Spaniard Jaume Munar 2-6, 3-6 and never found his rhythm.
Medvedev, hampered by back problems, made 32 unforced errors.
Record! Djokovic draws level with Nadal
Novak Djokovic fared better. The record-breaking Grand Slam winner from Serbia defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata 6-0, 7-6 (7-1), although he did not perform as confidently in the second set as he did at the beginning of the match.
With his 410th victory at a Masters, he is now on a par with Rafael Nadal.
The Spaniard had previously held the record alone. Djokovic has already won 40 tournaments in the 1000 category – that’s a record too.
