World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Miami Open on Friday following a shocking second-round defeat to David Goffin at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Alcaraz, who won the title in Miami in 2022, lost 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to Belgian Goffin in two hours and 18 minutes.
Former World No. 7 Goffin, who had to come from a set down to beat Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic in the opening round, managed to repeat the same pattern against the 21-year-old Spaniard.
Goffin beat Alcaraz three years ago in Astana in their last meeting and sensing the Spaniard was not playing his best tennis in the opening set, he went on the attack.
World No. 55 Goffin led by a break in all three sets and made the advantage count in the second and third. The 34-year-old Belgian won 45 per cent (15/33) of his second-serve return points.
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Goffin won 17 of his 24 net points while Alcaraz committed 43 unforced errors, including 28 on the forehand wing.
“I think it was key to be aggressive from the return, especially on his second serve,” said Goffin.
“Sometimes he hits the target on the first serve and you cannot do anything. The key was, even if I missed, I had to be aggressive. Because otherwise, if I’m just too passive, then he has his forehand or… he has everything. If you’re too passive, then you’re dead.”
Goffin faces USA’s Brandon Nakashima next for a place in the round of 16.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com