Carlos Alcaraz reaches Queen's quarters after studying grass greats
Carlos Alcaraz reveals he has studied Roger Federer and Andy Murray to improve on grass… as the Spanish star reaches the quarter-finals at Queen’s
- Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz beat Jiri Lehecka to reach the quater-finals at Queen’s
- Alcaraz has revealed he has watched videos of grass court greats to improve
- He highlighted Roger Federer and Andy Murray’s movement on the surface
Carlos Alcaraz has been studying videos of Roger Federer and Andy Murray to aid his grass-court development — and on Thursday’s evidence it is paying off.
The 20-year-old world No 2 brushed aside the talented Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 6-3 in 85 minutes to make the quarter-finals at the Queen’s Club Championships in what is his first senior appearance on the turf outside Wimbledon.
The Spanish speed merchant fizzed across the lawns, suggesting that after six days he is getting perfectly used to what is still an alien surface. He faces his most thorough examination yet on Friday when he plays Grigor Dimitrov, a past champion who is in his element here.
Alcaraz explained his learning methods, saying: ‘Right now we are on grass and I want to look up to the best players on grass.
‘Roger and Andy for me are the players that are moving the best on grass.
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz beat Jiri Lehecka in straight sets to reach the quater-finals at Queen’s
Alcaraz admits he has watched videos of Roger Federer and Andy Murray to improve on grass
The Spanish star drew gasps from the Queen’s crowd with his impressive shot making ability
‘So I want to be like them. I’m not talking about Djokovic because he slides like he’s on a clay court, and that’s not my case, so I try to put similar stuff in my game like Roger and Andy. You have to be more focused on the footwork here and adapt your moves.’
Alcaraz, still something of a novelty to British crowds, managed to draw gasps as he repeatedly pumped winners down the line to motor away early in the second set.
Cam Norrie is the sole GB survivor in the singles, and on Friday meets Sebastian Korda, the young American who believes he is one of the favourites for Wimbledon. With Alcaraz top seed and the second seed Holger Rune, also only 20 and in the last eight, a fair glimpse into the future of the men’s game is being offered this week.
Meanwhile, Jelena Ostapenko staged a third-set comeback at the Birmingham Classic to defeat Venus Williams 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 and reach the quarter-finals, where she will play Magdalena Frech.
Ostapenko said: ‘Venus is a great player, a great champion and it’s an honour to share the court with her.’
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