Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in a decisive opening match of his Miami Open championship defense, 6-0, 6-2.
The world’s top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz defeated Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis on Friday, winning 6-0, 6-2, to make an impressive start to his Miami Open championship defence. The 19-year-old Spaniard, who last week defeated Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells final, is attempting to accomplish the “Sunshine Double” and become the youngest player to ever hold the top spot in the rankings. Alcaraz got off to a flying start, claiming the first 11 points of the game while Bagnis, 33, had absolutely no response to the teenager’s potent serve.
When Bagnis, who has never defeated a player ranked in the top 20, held serve in the second set and then broke Alcaraz to make it 2-2, the Hard Rock Stadium audience cheered loudly.
Alcaraz had no more issues as he blasted his way to victory in just 65 minutes, but it was only a short respite for Bagnis rather than a change in the momentum.
“Beginning a fresh tournament is never simple due to various circumstances. The Spaniard said, “I have to be ready to adapt to these new circumstances, but I was really focused on the game from the start, and I’m happy with the way that I performed.
Alcaraz, who must win to keep his top position, will go up against either American Maxime Cressy or Serbian Dusan Lajovic in the third round. Alcaraz boldly predicted after his victory in Miami last year that he was ready to win a Grand Slam, and he now returns having accomplished that feat and, he admits, as a changed man.
Since last year, I’ve matured significantly. I’ve had a fantastic year both as an athlete and a person. I gained a lot of knowledge, not just on the field but also off it, he claimed.
“I have to take care about myself a little bit more off the court, taking care about going early to bed, to rest better, eat well, take care of myself off the court. That’s the most important thing for me,” he said.
Fritz advances
It was also a straightforward start to the tournament for America’s top ranked player, world number 10 Taylor Fritz who saw off 21-year-old Californian Emilio Nava 6-4, 6-1. Nava’s ultra-attacking style had earned him an upset win over John Isner in the previous round and he hit some spectacular winners early against Fritz.
“I believe he ought to simply play his game more. In these kinds of games, I think he may have felt pressure to perform above his level in this one, he said.
“Just the manner in the first set he was just kind of going for winners off everything. It was effective, but maintaining it is difficult. I used to do that when I was younger as well,” he continued.
Alexander Zverev of Germany’s successful comeback to the tour following an ankle ligament injury, which saw him advance to the round of 16 at Indian Wells, was cut short by a straight sets defeat to Japanese wildcard Taro Daniel (6-0, 6-4).
As the New York-born Daniel picked up another impressive win after his victories over Matteo Berrettini at Indian Wells and world number four Casper Ruud at the Mexican Open, the 13th seed Zverev, who has type one diabetes, was forced to take an insulin injection during the match
Ilya Ivashka of Belarus was beaten by Ruud 6-2, 6-3, and Italy’s Jannik Sinner also advanced to the third round by defeating Laslo Djere 6-4, 6-2.
The Italian player, 21, will aim to advance further after making his Miami debut in 2021 and achieving the final and quarterfinals, respectively.
