Lucky loser David Goffin made the most of his second chance at the Astana Open on Tuesday, upsetting World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-3 to earn the biggest win of his season.
The Belgian squandered two match points in his final-qualifying match against #NextGenATP Italian Luca Nardi on Sunday, but entered the draw as a lucky loser. With the pressure off, the former World No. 7 Goffin rolled back the years as he outplayed Alcaraz to reach the second round after one hour and 46 minutes.
"I always believe that I have the level to cause some trouble against those guys," Goffin said. "Of course it has not been my best period, I haven't been playing really well in the past few tournaments, but I always believe and practise and you never know.
"When you play against the World No. 1 on a big stage, big crowd, the fire inside gives you so much power to play your best tennis because you don't have any choice. You have to fight and give your best and that was the case today. I always believed I had it and I am happy you can still it there."
[ATP APP]
Goffin started the match quickly, troubling the 19-year-old Alcaraz with his pace and consistency from the baseline to pull ahead. From 5-2, the Belgian suffered a slight dip in level and concentration, though, with the Spaniard clawing back to 5-5. However, the World No. 66 would not be denied, breaking again to move ahead.
Goffin continued to go on the attack in the second set against Alcaraz, who struggled to time the ball from all areas of the court. He sealed his standout win when the Spaniard pushed a volley wide, letting out a roar.
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Goffin now holds a 3-8 record against players sat at No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, having defeated then-World No. 1 Rafael Nadal at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2017 and the ATP Cup in 2020.
The 31-year-old, who captured the crown in Marrakech earlier this season, will next meet Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
Alcaraz has enjoyed a historic season, capturing ATP Masters 1000 crowns in Miami and Madrid before he lifted his first Grand Slam trophy at the US Open in a victory that propelled him to No. 1. He is the youngest player to rise to the top in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings (since 1973).
However, he was unable to find his best level against Goffin as he struggled to time the ball, with the Belgian breaking five times to improve to 1-1 in their ATP Head2Head series.
Did You Know?
It is the first time Alcaraz has lost in straight sets since he fell to Hugo Gaston in Paris last year.
The Belgian squandered two match points in his final-qualifying match against #NextGenATP Italian Luca Nardi on Sunday, but entered the draw as a lucky loser. With the pressure off, the former World No. 7 Goffin rolled back the years as he outplayed Alcaraz to reach the second round after one hour and 46 minutes.
"I always believe that I have the level to cause some trouble against those guys," Goffin said. "Of course it has not been my best period, I haven't been playing really well in the past few tournaments, but I always believe and practise and you never know.
"When you play against the World No. 1 on a big stage, big crowd, the fire inside gives you so much power to play your best tennis because you don't have any choice. You have to fight and give your best and that was the case today. I always believed I had it and I am happy you can still it there."
[ATP APP]
Goffin started the match quickly, troubling the 19-year-old Alcaraz with his pace and consistency from the baseline to pull ahead. From 5-2, the Belgian suffered a slight dip in level and concentration, though, with the Spaniard clawing back to 5-5. However, the World No. 66 would not be denied, breaking again to move ahead.
Goffin continued to go on the attack in the second set against Alcaraz, who struggled to time the ball from all areas of the court. He sealed his standout win when the Spaniard pushed a volley wide, letting out a roar.
[FOLLOW ACTION]
Goffin now holds a 3-8 record against players sat at No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, having defeated then-World No. 1 Rafael Nadal at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2017 and the ATP Cup in 2020.
The 31-year-old, who captured the crown in Marrakech earlier this season, will next meet Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
Alcaraz has enjoyed a historic season, capturing ATP Masters 1000 crowns in Miami and Madrid before he lifted his first Grand Slam trophy at the US Open in a victory that propelled him to No. 1. He is the youngest player to rise to the top in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings (since 1973).
However, he was unable to find his best level against Goffin as he struggled to time the ball, with the Belgian breaking five times to improve to 1-1 in their ATP Head2Head series.
Did You Know?
It is the first time Alcaraz has lost in straight sets since he fell to Hugo Gaston in Paris last year.