I tried to move him around – Carlos Alcaraz reveals strategy against Gael Monfils

Carlos Alcaraz continued to march along as he bested veteran Gael Monfils in the third round of the Miami Open on Monday. Alcaraz got the better of the Frenchman by 6-2, 6-4 to advance through. The Spaniard broke Monfils’ serve in the fifth game of the opening game before taking the opening set.

The youngster was able to put himself in front in the second set as he broke Monfils’ serve in the opening game. Alcaraz got a double break but Monfils broke the youngster’s serve at 5-3, forcing him to close out the match. However, the two-time Grand Slam champion had no issues doing that.

Alcaraz made the most of his potent forehand and revealed his plan was to make Monfils run as much as he could.

“He’s a great athlete. He reaches almost every ball,” said the No. 2 man in the PIF ATP Rankings. “But at the same time, with my forehand, my best shot, I tried to move him around the court, tried to get him tired a little bit and give myself the chance to dominate the point, trying to go to the net and hitting my best shots.”

Meanwhile, the match was enjoyed by legendary players like Neymar, Jimmy Butler, and Juan Martin del Potro. Alcaraz added it was great to perform well in front of these big names.

“It’s kind of difficult to stay focused on the match, having such legends from every sport,” he said. “It’s great for me. I try to show great tennis, try to make them happy as well, make them enjoy watching my games.

“It’s a great opportunity to have them here, to talk with them a little bit. It’s great to put on a show in front of them.”

On the other hand, Alcaraz will next take on Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated local lad Ben Shelton in straight sets.

“[My team was] saying patience because sometimes Ben, with the really good serves, could be really frustrating,” said the Italian, who missed out on five late break points. “Some points I had an opportunity to break him in the second set, I didn’t find the right ball with the forehand. Sometimes he was serving pretty well, with the slice at the body.

“Even the last point was really tough to return. I had to be really patient and try to focus on what I had to do. I think I played probably the best match of the year.”