World no. 1 and the defending Miami Masters champion Carlos Alcaraz is through into the third round in Florida. Carlos sailed past Facundo Bagnis 6-0, 6-2 in 64 minutes to extend his winning streak that started in Indian Wells. Alcaraz served at 53%, and no one noticed that. The young gun dropped 13 points in seven service games and got broken once from two chances offered to his rival. The Argentine could not follow that pace, taking only 17 points behind the initial shot and experiencing 11 break points. Carlos seized six to control the scoreboard and march into the next round. Facundo hit four winners and 30 unforced errors, never standing a chance against such a strong opponent. Alcaraz had a massive advantage in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, taming his strokes nicely and preserving energy for the upcoming rivals.
Carlos Alcaraz made a winning start at the Miami Open.
A left-hander made the worst start, losing serve at love in the encounter’s first game after a double fault. The young gun fired a service winner in game two for a hold at love and a nice rhythm. Carlos moved 40-0 in front in the third game, taking all 12 points so far and creating three break chances. Facundo missed a routine forehand on the third to push world no. 1 3-0 ahead. Alcaraz produced another hold at love in game four to extend the gap and earned four break chances in the fifth game. Facundo defended the opening four before spraying a backhand mistake to push Carlos 5-0 ahead. The Spaniard served for the opener in game six and delivered a bagel with his third hold at love for 6-0 after 23 minutes!
The Argentine squandered a 40-15 lead at the start of the second set before dropping four points in a row to hand the game to the Spaniard. Carlos broke for the fourth straight time before experiencing the first issue behind the initial shot in game two. The youngster wasted game points and hit a double fault to face a break point. Alcaraz denied it and held to open a 6-0, 2-0 lead and extend his streak. Suddenly, Bagnis broke back at love in game four to level the score at 2-2 and prolong his chances. Carlos left that game behind and broke at love in the fifth to restore order. The Spaniard broke again in game seven to move 5-2 ahead and blasted a forehand down the line winner in the next one to seal the deal and move into the third round.
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