ATP Rio de Janeiro: rain layer! Carlos Alcaraz before hat trick Friday
Day four of the ATP 500 event in Rio de Janeiro largely fell victim to the heavy rainfall in the metropolis. For co-favorite Carlos Alcaraz , this means that he could play three matches on Friday.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Feb 18, 2022, 07:57 am
With the score of 5: 4, 30:15 for Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday, it was finally over in Rio de Janeiro. Those responsible had waited until shortly before midnight, hoping for an improvement in the weather: without success. While Francisco Cerundolo and Roberto Carballes Baena as well as Miomir Kecmanovic and Lorenzo Sonego successfully played their round of 16 matches at the ATP 500 event, the big tournament favorites Matteo Berrettini and Carlos Alcaraz have to wait.
And that is until Thursday, when the day in the coastal town opens particularly early. Matteo Berrettini - the tournament's number one - and local hero Thiago Monteiro will start at 2:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. CET). Afterwards, Carlos Alcaraz and Federico Delbonis resume their match-up.
Extra work for Carlos Alcaraz
For the youngster from Spain this is the start of a real marathon day: After the encounter with the Argentine, Alcaraz continues as planned in pair skating alongside Pablo Carreno Busta, the two Spaniards meet the double specialists Granollers/Zeballos. And then? Then there would be a possible quarter-final hit with the number one of the tournament, Matteo Berrettini, on the program.
Small consolation: The Italian will also have to play at least two singles games on Friday if he wants to keep up his title ambitions in Rio de Janeiro. In addition, the Roman has not yet started his duel with Thiago Monteiro - unlike Alcaraz. It is already clear that day five of the Rio Open 2022 will be quite an eventful one. For players and fans.